President Aoun calls for EU pressure on Israel to uphold ceasefire and urges urgent humanitarian aid for Lebanon

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, during his meeting with EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, said that European support for Lebanon should be directed toward pressuring Israel to abide by the ceasefire and halt its attacks.

He stressed the need to stop the destruction of homes in villages it occupies in the south, as well as attacks targeting paramedics, journalists, and civil defense personnel.

Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire and the cessation of all military operations, saying this is essential to launch negotiations aimed at resolving the situation in the south. He said such talks should pave the way for the deployment of the Lebanese army up to the international borders, the release of Lebanese detainees, and the return of displaced residents to their towns and villages.

He noted that the significant human losses resulting from Israeli strikes have increased the need for humanitarian assistance for displaced civilians on a daily basis, calling on Arab and friendly countries to provide urgent humanitarian and development aid.

The president also thanked the European Union for its continuous response to Lebanon’s needs and for its member states’ commitment to Lebanon’s full sovereignty over all its territory.

Aoun added that Lebanese citizens remain united in the face of current challenges, stressing their commitment to national unity and their rejection of any attempts to sow internal division.