Israel’s negotiation response in Issa’s pocket?

As has been become clear to date, the official position of the Lebanese state is that negotiations must be conducted with Israel. After all, negotiations and even possibly peace are not usually done between friendly states that have no contentious issues with one another, but rather between two adversaries and enemies that choose to resolve critical matters in pursuit of mutual benefits.

Although the mechanism and manner that such negotiations would be held remains controversial, the matter in of itself is not (excluding Hezbollah). Indeed, the issue of negotiating with Israel is, for once, no longer taboo but rather a serious national discussion in the public sphere (on both official as well as popular levels in the country).

Aoun affirms negotiation aspirations with Israel

On November 12, 2025, during his reception of a delegation from the Editors’ Syndicate, headed by Captain Joseph Kassifi, Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun presented a review of the course of military and field developments.

Aoun asked, “Can war bring us to a result?” to which he continued by saying that “if we are not able to go to war, and war has brought us misfortunes, and there is a wave of settlements in the region, what should we do?”

He pointed out that “we talked about the principle of negotiation but have not yet gone into the details, and we have not yet received an answer to our proposal. When we are faced with acceptance, we will then discuss our conditions.” Aoun added that “the main point I am raising remains the following: Are we capable of entering a war? And does the language of war solve the problem? I want someone to answer these two questions for me,” questions the President clarified he had raised to Hezbollah.

President Aoun saw that “the logic of force no longer works; we must turn to the power of reason. Here is America, after 15 years of war in Vietnam, and Hamas, both were forced to go to negotiation.”

As for the manner to which the negotiations can be conduct, Aoun considered that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s position is almost parallel to the previous maritime border negotiations in 2022, and that the “Mechanism” committee (established during the November 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement) includes all parties (Lebanon, Israel, UNIFIL, France and the United States), and additional individuals may be added to it if necessary.

From here, Aoun confirmed that each side has its own project: the Americans seek stability, while Lebanon seeks to stop assaults, liberate the land, and recover the prisoners, simultaneously emphasizing that the Cabinet alone is responsible to ensure and achieve the aforementioned goals.

Lebanon awaits Israeli response from Issa

President Aoun claimed that Lebanon is awaiting a response from Israel through America regarding the option of negotiations with Israel.

Aoun pointed out that Lebanon has not officially received any clear American stance and is waiting for the arrival of the newly appointed US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, who may bring an Israeli response along with him.

It is worth noting that informed sources revealed that Issa is set to arrive to Lebanon this Friday, November 14, 2025. However, the same sources indicated that he will not be carrying such a desired Israeli response.