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Lebanon President Aoun proposes ceasefire — Israeli officials decline, cite Hezbollah weapons failure

·Beirut, Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun proposed a ceasefire to end the Israel-Hezbollah fighting, Breitbart and Gulf News reported on Friday. Israeli officials did not accept the offer, citing Lebanon's failure to seize Hezbollah's weapons after the 2024 ceasefire agreement — evidenced by Hezbollah's ability to shower Israel with rockets. Aoun also expressed support for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, which he said had been 'treacherously and reprehensibly targeted by the Iranian regime.' UN Secretary-General Guterres met Aoun the same day at the Presidential Palace and separately called for a ceasefire.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun formally proposed a ceasefire to end the Israel-Hezbollah fighting on Friday, according to reports. Israeli officials did not leap to accept, citing Lebanon's failure to fulfill its obligations under the 2024 ceasefire agreement — specifically the disarmament of Hezbollah — noting that Hezbollah had demonstrated its continued weapons capability by showering Israel with rockets. President Aoun simultaneously expressed support for Gulf states targeted by Iran, stating that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE had been 'treacherously and reprehensibly targeted by the Iranian regime' — a statement that aligned Lebanon's government explicitly with the Arab Gulf states and against Iran, and signaled the Lebanese state's desire to separate itself from Hezbollah's actions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres met Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on the same day. Guterres called for a ceasefire, saying: 'My strong appeal to both parties, to Hezbollah and Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war.' Guterres added that it is 'imperative that Hezbollah respects the Lebanese government's decision to assert the state monopoly of arms' and that 'Israel respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.' The Aoun ceasefire proposal, backed by UN presence, represents the most concrete state-level Lebanese initiative to end the fighting. Israel's cool response reflects the IDF's ongoing assessment that Hezbollah must be militarily defeated or disarmed before any ceasefire can be durable.

Actor responses

NATOSUPPORTINGCLAIM

Lebanon President Aoun's ceasefire proposal, backed by the UN Secretary-General's personal visit to Beirut, is the most concrete state-level peace initiative yet on the Lebanon front. All parties — including Israel — should engage seriously.

IsraelOPPOSINGRESPONSE

Lebanon had two years to implement the 2024 ceasefire agreement and disarm Hezbollah. It failed. Any new ceasefire must be accompanied by real enforcement mechanisms and full disarmament. Otherwise we are simply creating a pause for Hezbollah to rearm.

HezbollahOPPOSINGRESPONSE

The Lebanese government does not speak for the resistance. Hezbollah's operations are a direct response to Israel's ongoing occupation, aggression, and the attack on Iran. No ceasefire can be accepted that leaves Israel's military presence in Lebanon intact.