Lebanon–Israel negotiations: Aoun takes a major step… but will it be enough?

Is an end to the war possible? While the current outlook remains grim, Lebanon says it is ready to push further in its diplomatic efforts. Speaking to European ambassadors on Monday, President Joseph Aoun said that “Lebanon informed the major powers and the United Nations of its full readiness to resume negotiations and to examine the necessary security measures to halt Israel’s dangerous escalation.”President Aoun outlined a four-step action plan. He calls for the cessation of strikes and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, as well as strengthening the Lebanese Army before its deployment across the country, to initiate a “direct negotiations” process between Beirut and Tel Aviv. L’Orient-Le Jour learned that a minister could represent Lebanon in potential negotiations between the neighboring countries — a step that could be...