Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel on Friday of escalating its airstrikes in southern Lebanon rather than responding to Beirut's offer to open negotiations aimed at ending what he called the Israeli occupation, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Lebanon's official news agency reported that an Israeli drone struck a motorcyclist in Qana, killing one person and wounding another. The UN said that since the ceasefire came into effect, 111 Lebanese civilians have been killed.
Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, saying Lebanon was ready to engage in negotiations to "end the Israeli occupation," but that any talks "require mutual willingness, and that is not the case." He said Israel "has responded to this possibility with further strikes and a worsening of tensions."
Earlier Friday, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), an Israeli drone attacked a motorcyclist in Qana, resulting in one death and one injury. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the casualties. The Israel Defense Forces said the target was "a Hezbollah maintenance operative" who had been working to restore the terrorist organization's infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
A day earlier, a municipal employee was killed in an Israeli raid in the border village of Blida. Following the incident, Aoun instructed the Lebanese army "to confront such incursions and operations."
Tensions persist despite ceasefire
Despite the ceasefire reached in November 2024 between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by US President Donald Trump, Israel has maintained forces in five areas of southern Lebanon and continues to strike targets in the country.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, at least 25 people were killed in Israeli strikes in October, including one Syrian national. UN Human Rights Commission spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said this week that since the ceasefire began, 111 civilians in Lebanon have been killed by Israeli fire.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Yousef Rajji urged his German counterpart to help apply international pressure on Israel to halt its attacks, stressing that "only a diplomatic, not military solution can ensure stability and calm in the south." He added that the Lebanese government "is continuing to gradually implement its decision to bring all weapons under state control."
According to the report, Hezbollah was significantly weakened during the war, while the United States has been increasing pressure on Beirut to disarm the organization, a move Hezbollah and its allies strongly oppose.
