Beirut: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Saturday that the Israeli shelling of Southern Lebanese towns represents a clear act of aggression and undermines efforts to “rescue” the country. “What happened today has been going on since February 18 as Israel failed to live up to the letter of the ceasefire (deal), and is a new attempt to drag Lebanon to the cycle of violence,” Aoun said in a statement.
According to Jordan News Agency, President Aoun urged relevant bodies in the South, including the monitoring committee established under the November ceasefire agreement and the Lebanese army, to manage any violations and prevent repercussions that could threaten national stability. He directed Army Commander Brigadier General Rodolphe Haikal to implement “necessary field measures” to ensure civilian safety and investigate the circumstances of the recent escalation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed the president’s concerns, warning against renewed military operations along the southern border, which could potentially lead the country into a new conflict with severe consequences. Salam reached out to UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, urging the United Nations to apply pressure on Israel for a complete withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories. He emphasized that the occupation violates UN Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire arrangements approved by the previous Lebanese government in October, to which Lebanon remains committed.