During the conversation, Aoun expressed appreciation for Washington’s diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon but emphasized that halting hostilities must come before any direct negotiations with Israel. The Lebanese government has maintained that ongoing Israeli military operations against Hezbollah make diplomatic engagement premature.
Following separate calls with Aoun and Netanyahu later that same day, Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire intended to create space for further diplomatic efforts. However, Israeli officials signaled that their broader military campaign would continue, citing persistent threats from Hezbollah along Israel’s northern border.
In a statement issued Thursday, Aoun reiterated that a ceasefire represents the “natural starting point” for any future discussions between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanese officials also conveyed to both U.S. and Israeli counterparts that no additional negotiations would take place until fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is paused.
Earlier Thursday, Israeli officials had indicated that Netanyahu and Aoun were expected to speak, following preliminary diplomatic engagement in Washington, D.C. Those discussions marked the first direct contact between representatives of the two countries in more than four decades, reflecting a cautious reopening of communication channels.
Israel has stated that its objectives remain unchanged, including dismantling Hezbollah’s military capabilities and ensuring long-term security for northern communities. Netanyahu described these goals as essential to achieving what he called “sustainable peace.”
The recent diplomatic outreach follows a meeting at the U.S. State Department between Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh. That meeting was aimed at laying groundwork for future negotiations, though current conditions suggest that significant obstacles remain before formal talks can proceed.
