FG – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vowed Thursday his country will make no concessions on sovereignty in ongoing talks with Israel, even as Israeli airstrikes hit towns in southern Lebanon.
Aoun outlined Lebanon’s objectives during a cabinet session at the Baabda presidential palace, a day after the first round of direct talks in decades was held in Naqoura. He said envoy Simon Karam was instructed to press for an end to Israeli incursions, border delineation and the return of prisoners. Economic cooperation or a peace deal is not part of the mandate, he added.
The talks, part of a ceasefire monitoring committee established last year with representatives from the U.S., France, Lebanon, Israel and the UN, produced no breakthroughs but are set to resume Dec. 19.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes Thursday destroyed four buildings and damaged about 20 homes in four southern towns, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah weapons storage sites after issuing evacuation warnings.
The attacks came despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brokered by the U.S. and France in November 2024. Israel has continued near‑daily strikes, saying it is targeting Hezbollah activity.