Aoun and Salam to intensify contacts aimed at ending Israeli escalation

President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam decided to intensify contacts aimed at ending the Israeli escalation in South Lebanon, where the Israeli army is stepping up both its strikes and ground offensive.

“Aoun and Salam reviewed the security developments in the South in light of the ongoing Israeli attacks and their expansion to a number of southern towns and villages, particularly in the Sour and Nabatieh districts. This comes in addition to the continued demolition and blowing up of homes, land clearing, and the destruction of historical landmarks in the South,” according to a statement released by the Lebanese Presidency following a meeting at Baabda Palace.

Aoun and Salam “also addressed the ongoing threats targeting civilians and the repeated calls for them to leave their homes. Presidents Aoun and Salam agreed to intensify contacts to put an end to these condemned Israeli practices,” the statement added.

The two officials also reviewed the meeting held in Washington on Friday between Lebanese, American and Israeli military delegations, as well as the discussions that took place there, during which the Lebanese side reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing a cease-fire.

They further discussed preparations underway for the next round of negotiations scheduled for June 2 and 3.

The United States on Friday welcomed “constructive” discussions between Israeli and Lebanese military officials at the Pentagon following nine hours of talks. However, no mention was made of implementing a cease-fire in Lebanon, despite Beirut’s insistence on the issue.

Aoun and Salam also reviewed the country’s security situation and the daily follow-up on the conditions of those forcibly displaced from their homes and properties.

Despite the so-called cease-fire agreement reached on April 16 following 45 days of war between Hezbollah and Israel, fighting continues in South Lebanon and West Bekaa, with more than 1,000 people killed in Israeli attacks since then.

Moreover, more than 1 million people remain displaced as a result of the ongoing Israeli attacks.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued launching daily attacks against Israeli forces occupying and advancing in South Lebanon, as well as against villages in northern Israel.