Lebanese president says 'no option but negotiation' with Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,000 people and displaced over a million in Lebanon, stressing that the government has "no option but negotiation" with Israel to end the bloodshed. Speaking during a meeting with syndicate heads in Beirut, Aoun warned that the state must care for its citizens and cannot stand idly by as thousands of homes lie destroyed with no end to the conflict in sight, according to a presidency statement.

The Lebanese leader emphasized that his administration remains committed to preserving civil peace and internal stability, adding that "anyone who fuels such discord is serving Israel's interests." "Strength lies not in waging war, but in having the courage to end war through negotiations that serve the country's interests," Aoun said, dismissing alternatives to diplomacy.

Truce violations continue

Aoun's remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to halt attacks against each other following contacts through intermediaries. Trump said he had received assurances that "all shooting will stop," though the Israeli army continued its strikes on Lebanon on Tuesday despite the truce that took effect on April 17 and was subsequently extended for 45 days following indirect US-mediated talks.

Death toll mounts

According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, more than 3,400 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2. The ongoing offensive has left thousands of homes destroyed and over one million residents displaced across the country.