The president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, has assured this Sunday that his Government maintains active diplomatic contacts to open a negotiation channel with Israel that allows stopping the military escalation and avoiding a destruction similar to that experienced in Gaza.
Lebanon seeks a diplomatic way out
During a public appearance, Aoun has insisted that the country is working with “friendly countries” to mediate in the conflict and put an end to what he has described as a “senseless war”.
“Our people are tired of wars,” he affirmed, also warning of the risk that Israel intends to “turn southern Lebanon into a new Gaza.” For the moment, according to what he has indicated, Israel has not responded to these contact attempts.
Internal tensions and the role of Hezbollah
The president has recognized that this diplomatic strategy does not have unanimous support within the country, in an implicit reference to Hezbollah, which has historically opposed any negotiation with Israel and actively participates in the conflict.
Despite this, Aoun has firmly defended the political path: “Diplomacy is not surrender”, he stressed.
The leader has put figures to the impact of the war in Lebanon, with more than 400 dead, 4,000 injured and more than 1.2 million displaced, in addition to the destruction of thousands of homes.
The Gaza precedent as a warning
Aoun has used the case of Gaza as an example of the consequences of prolonging the conflict. “Gaza has been destroyed and more than 70,000 people have died. In the end, they went to negotiate,” he recalled.
In this regard, he has defended the need to anticipate and open dialogue before the damage is irreversible, with the aim of stopping the current spiral of violence.
Risk of internal instability
On the domestic front, the president has launched a forceful message given the fear of an escalation of tensions within the country. “The hand that extends against civil peace will be cut off”, he has warned, ruling out the possibility of a new civil war, which he has described as an “illusion”.
However, the context remains delicate. The conflict with Israel and Hezbollah's involvement have reactivated the risks of internal fracture, especially after the Lebanese Government's decision to outlaw the armed activities of the Shiite militia and advance in its disarmament, a matter that had already generated friction in recent months.
A fragile balance
Aoun's words reflect the Lebanese Executive's attempt to balance external military pressure with internal stability, at a time when the country faces one of the most complex scenarios of recent years.
With the conflict in full escalation and without clear signs of response from Israel, the bet on diplomacy presents itself as an uncertain path, but increasingly urgent to avoid a wider-ranging crisis.