Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said said it is «necessary» to negotiate with Israel, as Lebanon cannot remain outside the path toward peace and security.
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 13 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday said it is «necessary» to negotiate with Israel, as Lebanon cannot remain outside the regional path moving toward resolving crises and establishing peace and security.
Aoun’s remarks came as Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement began to implement the first phase of a cease-fire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the two-year war in Gaza.
«We cannot stand outside the current regional path, which is one of resolving crises», he told a group of reporters. «We must be part of it, as it is no longer possible to endure more war, destruction, killing and displacement.»
According to a statement, Aoun said the region is shifting toward negotiations aimed at establishing peace and security, and «this approach is yielding results.»
Israel engaged in negotiations with Hamas because it «had no other option after trying war and destruction», he added.
On Monday, Hamas released all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages it was holding in Gaza out of 48 who still were captive since the launch of «Operation al-Aqsa Flood» on Oct. 7, 2023. Its military wing later announced that it can return the bodies of only four out of the 28 Israeli hostages who died.
Lebanon engaged in the war when Iran-backed Hezbollah decided to open a support front for Gaza on Oct.
