BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday condemned Israel's latest strikes on his country, saying they undermine efforts to prevent escalation. Aoun's criticism came after Israel launched a series of strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday, saying it hit Hezbollah and Hamas targets. The attacks began with strikes on four villages where Israel had issued evacuation warnings, though later bombing including a strike in the early hours of Tuesday came without prior notice.
In a statement, Aoun said that "Israel's continued attacks aim to thwart all efforts made locally, regionally and internationally to stop the ongoing Israeli escalation, despite the response shown by Lebanon to these efforts at various levels". The latest strikes come with the committee monitoring the ceasefire, which includes the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel and the United Nations, set to meet on Wednesday.
Lebanon's cabinet will also convene later this week to discuss the Lebanese military's progress in disarming Hezbollah, a plan launched under heavy US pressure and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes. In his statement, Aoun said the government's plan to "extend its authority over the south of the Litani" was "implemented by the Lebanese army with professionalism, commitment and precision". — AFP
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