Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has issued a stern appeal to the United States and the broader international community, demanding an urgent operational response to halt ongoing Israeli aerial raids targeting southern Lebanon. In a formal statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, Aoun placed full responsibility for the escalating violence on Israel, condemning the renewed attacks on the city of Nabatieh and its surrounding towns.
The latest wave of bombardments resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left twenty others injured, according to initial figures provided by the Ministry of Health. President Aoun characterized these strikes as a deliberate violation of established boundaries, asserting that the military operations have transcended their purported military objectives to systematically target civilian institutions and health facilities.
Highlighting specific instances of damage, the Presidential statement noted that the Ministry of Finance building in Nabatieh sustained severe structural harm. Additionally, the Gandour Hospital was completely destroyed and is currently non-operational. Aoun argued that the pattern of attacks, which included prior strikes on a State Security Center followed by assaults on administrative buildings, reveals a clear intent to disrupt the continuity of Lebanese state functions and undermine the daily lives of citizens.
The President emphasized that targeting state institutions and essential service infrastructure constitutes a serious escalation that exceeds repeated breaches of the ceasefire agreement and the framework accord. He stated that these actions demonstrate a calculated effort to paralyze public services and inflict maximum pressure on the civilian population rather than addressing legitimate security concerns.
Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to preserving its sovereignty and ensuring the stability of its southern regions despite the aggression. He called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of accountability mechanisms for those responsible for the violations. The President affirmed that Lebanon remains steadfast in its duty to protect its citizens and maintain national integrity.
This diplomatic push occurs against the backdrop of a broader conflict that began on March 2, 2026. Since the onset of the current offensive, Lebanese authorities report that Israeli actions have killed 4,358 people and injured 12,359 others, while displacing more than one million residents. Israeli forces have occupied territories in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others captured during the previous 2023-2024 war, with recent incursions extending over ten kilometers into Lebanese territory.
The current tensions persist despite a framework agreement mediated by the United States and signed on June 26, 2026. This deal stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese lands in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the affected areas. However, the continued airstrikes indicate a significant divergence between the agreed terms and the reality on the ground, prompting Aoun’s urgent request for international enforcement of the ceasefire protocols.
