Lebanon accuses Israel of preferring air strikes to talks

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has accused Israel of responding to Lebanon's offer to negotiate by intensifying air strikes, the latest of which killed a man riding a motorbike in southern Lebanon. 

Despite agreeing in November 2024 to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel maintains troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and has continued to bomb the country from the air.

Aoun called for negotiations with Israel in mid-October, after US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire in Gaza. 

“Lebanon is ready for negotiations to end the Israeli occupation, but any negotiation... requires mutual willingness, which is not the case,” AFP reported Aoun as saying on Friday.

Israel “is responding to this option by carrying out more attacks against Lebanon... and intensifying tensions”, he said during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

Wadephul said he would urge his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar to withdraw Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.

“Israel must withdraw. I understand that Israel has security needs... But in fact, we now need a process of mutual trust-building,” the German minister said.

Wadephul also encouraged the Lebanese government to ensure there is “a credible, transparent and rapid process of disarming Hezbollah”.