Israel sends a signal - Aoun responds to strikes on Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that Israeli strikes on the south of the country were a 'clear message' for the negotiation process. Another round of US-mediated talks is due to take place in Rome early next month. Aoun condemned the attacks and violations of international law, noting the death of an entire family in the village of Ansar. The IDF said it is striking Hezbollah infrastructure in response to an attack on Israeli soldiers. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also condemned the strikes and called on Israel to stop the escalation.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that Israeli strikes on the south of the country were a 'clear message' regarding the negotiation process between the two states. Another round of US-mediated talks is due to take place in Rome early next month. Aoun condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, as well as repeated violations of the framework agreement and international law that provides for the protection of civilians. According to the president's office, one such strike killed an entire family in the village of Ansar. Aoun noted that such actions are an unequivocal signal for the negotiation process. Earlier, the IDF said it was striking Hezbollah militant infrastructure in response to an attack against Israeli soldiers. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned the Israeli strikes on the country's territory, carried out overnight and in the morning. He stated that responsibility for any actions regarding military infrastructure on Lebanese territory should belong exclusively to the state and its armed forces, calling on Israel to stop the escalation and strikes on Lebanon. On Saturday night, Israeli forces struck Hezbollah infrastructure in the Nabatieh and Ansar areas in southern Lebanon. According to the IDF, the operation was a response to the group's actions against Israeli soldiers in the security zone. The Israeli army stressed that it will continue to counter threats from Hezbollah terrorists and will not allow attacks against the country's citizens and soldiers.