Lebanon turns toward negotiations as regional winds shift to peace

Lebanon has entered a new era in the region, marked by renewed diplomatic momentum and a cautious push toward stability.

The development has drawn strong reactions. Sources to The Beiruter stressed that “It is crucial for Lebanon to participate in ongoing efforts for peace solutions to pending matters”, highlighting the importance of the full Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese lands.

In this context, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun underlined the country’s role in the evolving Middle East. “Conditions are moving toward negotiations to achieve peace and stability,” Aoun said.

We cannot be outside this track. Through dialogue and negotiations, solutions can be reached.

Aoun’s statements come in the wake of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, ending a devastating two-year conflict that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. The war prompted Hezbollah in Lebanon to open a secondary front along the Israel-Lebanon border, escalating into nearly a year of heavy fighting that left many of the group’s commanders dead. Even after the ceasefire, Israel has carried out frequent airstrikes on Lebanon, claiming civilian lives and deepening the country’s instability.

“Lebanon has negotiated with Israel in the past under U.S. and U.N. mediation,” Aoun noted, referencing the 2022 agreement that resolved maritime border disputes. “What prevents repeating the same thing to find solutions to pending matters especially that war did not lead to results?” He stressed that the regional atmosphere now favors deals and negotiations, stressing the need for Lebanon to be part of this evolving process.

President Aoun’s comments were echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who addressed the Israeli parliament, stressing that Israel had achieved all it could on the battlefield and must now focus on peace in the region. Trump praised Lebanon’s leadership, saying his administration was supporting Aoun in his efforts to “permanently disarm Hezbollah’s terror brigades,” adding, “He’s doing very well.” He described “Hezbollah’s dagger, long aimed at Israel’s throat” as “totally shattered.”

The call for disarmament aligns with Lebanon’s own plans. In August, the government set a goal to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, aiming first to secure the area south of the Litani River before moving on to other phases. However, Hezbollah has rejected the plan, insisting it will not consider disarmament while Israel continues to occupy key hills along the border and conducts near-daily airstrikes.

As Lebanon navigates this delicate phase, President Aoun has made clear that the country must engage actively in negotiations with Israel to resolve pending issues peacefully, echoing the broader international push for stability in a region long defined by conflict.