Khadija Amara, whom local residents said had not left her home, fills a jerrycan with water as she sits among the rubble of a house, which was damaged by an Israeli strike, in Qlaileh in the Sour district, southern Lebanon, June 19, 2026. (Credit: Zohra Bensemra/Reuters)
BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun on Friday condemned the Israeli escalation in south Lebanon and north Bekaa that has killed several less than 24 hours.
"What we are witnessing today in the south and Bekaa, in terms of the expansion of Israeli attacks, killings and further destruction, constitutes a dangerous and condemnable escalation," he emphasized on X.
"It has affected dozens of innocent people, including women and children, and in practice aims to undermine all ongoing efforts to consolidate the cease-fire and end the war, especially after recent developments between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran," the head of state added.
Aoun assured that this escalation will not prevent efforts to achieve a comprehensive cease-fire as soon as possible, which, he said, he "recommended to the Lebanese negotiating delegation for the next session in Washington."
The issue cannot be avoided because "the comprehensive cease-fire is the gateway to addressing other issues, the most important of which are the Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the army and the return of prisoners," he said.
Lebanon and Israel will resume their direct negotiations in Washington on June 23, 24 and 25, while the cessation of hostilities and the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon remain at the heart of discussions between Israel and the Trump administration.
For its part, the Israeli army has formalized its advances outside the "buffer zone" it established in mid-April along the coast, in the central sector and Nabatieh region in southern Lebanon, in a new map. The Israeli military announced it would continue operations in the area in response to "threats" posed by Hezbollah. For its part, the Shiite militia said it "remains on alert."
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Israeli army will remain in Lebanon "as long as necessary."
