Why it matters:
Aoun’s comments come amid ongoing Israel's aggression on Lebanon and Hezbollah, despite a fragile ceasefire. His firm rejection of normalization reflects widespread Lebanese resistance to aligning diplomatically with Israeli regime while territorial disputes and security threats persist.
The big picture:
A fragile ceasefire has been in place since November following over a year of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. However, frequent Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon continue targeting Hezbollah positions. The unresolved military presence of the Israeli regime in disputed areas further fuels instability.
What he's saying:
In a meeting with the Arab and International Relations Council, Aoun clarified: “Peace means the absence of war, which we are currently far from. Normalization, however, has no place in Lebanon’s foreign policy.”
Aoun called on the Israeli military to withdraw from five strategic areas in southern Lebanon that remain under occupation since the last conflict.
Context:
The November ceasefire includes Hezbollah’s withdrawal from south of the Litani River (30 km from the Israeli border).The area was to be secured by the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL (UN peacekeepers). Israeli regime was also expected to withdraw from territories seized during the conflict — a demand Lebanon insists is still unmet.
Go deeper:
Israel Attacks Southern Lebanon, Killing and Wounding Civilians
Neda Sajjadi
