Joseph Aoun

Israeli defense officials believe dozens of Hezbollah operatives are trapped in a strategic underground complex in southern Lebanon. At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the group to be disarmed, saying Lebanon has no future as long as it remains armed.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation in southern Lebanon. In a conversation with Syrian President Mahmoud al-Sharaa, the American president once again raised the idea that Syria could deal with Hezbollah. Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold another round of talks in about two weeks.

Just before *Shabbat*, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that understandings had been reached with the Lebanese government and that a framework agreement had been signed between the two countries. The IDF will gradually transfer responsibility in certain areas to the Lebanese army, while Israel will retain freedom of action until Hezbollah is disarmed.

Lebanese media aligned with Hezbollah published a piece urging President Joseph Aoun to back away from efforts to advance an agreement with Israel, while also threatening to reveal secrets tied to his past.

After Hezbollah labeled his government “traitors” over efforts to engage Israel, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said he is working to end the war without a “humiliating” deal.

Israel’s and Lebanon’s ambassadors in Washington meet tomorrow for another round of talks. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun sets an initial condition of an IDF withdrawal from Lebanese territory and calls for at least a one-month ceasefire. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar: "Hezbollah is a shared enemy of Israel and Lebanon. It harms Lebanon’s future."

In a surprise Truth Social post, the U.S. president declared Israel is barred from striking inside Lebanon and said he will invite Lebanon’s Joseph Aoun and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington. Netanyahu signaled a temporary cease-fire, while Hezbollah blasted the move and warned of consequences.