President Joseph Aoun launching his new initiative to European officials, on March 9, 2026. (Credit: X/@lbpresidency)
Joseph Aoun has stirred debate. Delivering some of his harshest criticism yet of Hezbollah — without directly naming it — for dragging Lebanon into war with Israel, the president on Monday said the country is ready for direct negotiations with Israel.The proposal has been almost unanimously welcomed by political circles, except for Hezbollah, which has remained silent, highlighting the limits of the presidential initiative, toward which Tel Aviv does not appear enthusiastic at this stage.For many local players, direct negotiations are unlikely to bear fruit as long as the party ignores state authorities and refuses to hand over its weapons. Need the context? Lebanon–Israel negotiations: Aoun takes a major step… but will it be enough? Still, the urgency of ending the ongoing war is pushing several actors to support Aoun’s initiative....
Joseph Aoun has stirred debate. Delivering some of his harshest criticism yet of Hezbollah — without directly naming it — for dragging Lebanon into war with Israel, the president on Monday said the country is ready for direct negotiations with Israel.The proposal has been almost unanimously welcomed by political circles, except for Hezbollah, which has remained silent, highlighting the limits of the presidential initiative, toward which Tel Aviv does not appear enthusiastic at this stage.For many local players, direct negotiations are unlikely to bear fruit as long as the party ignores state authorities and refuses to hand over its weapons. Need the context? Lebanon–Israel negotiations: Aoun takes a major step… but will it be enough? Still, the urgency of ending the ongoing war is pushing several actors to support Aoun’s...
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil