BEIRUT, May 18, (V7N) — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun pledged Monday to do the “impossible” to end hostilities with Israel, after weeks of ceasefire and direct negotiations failed to stem the violence.
Israeli forces continued demolitions and issued evacuation orders in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone strike on an Israeli Iron Dome platform in northern Israel. Both sides accuse each other of violating the April 17 truce.
Aoun outlined Lebanon’s conditions: Israeli withdrawal, ceasefire, army deployment along the border, return of displaced civilians, and economic aid. He stressed his duty was to choose “what is least costly” to protect Lebanon’s people.
Israeli raids on Sunday killed seven, including a Palestinian Islamic Jihad member far from the border. The Israeli army has occupied a swathe of southern Lebanon within a self‑declared “yellow line,” conducting large‑scale demolitions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the challenge of neutralizing Hezbollah’s growing use of FPV drones. Lebanese authorities report over 2,900 deaths since the war began, including more than 400 since the ceasefire.
Britain announced deployment of a naval destroyer to join a coalition securing Gulf shipping lanes once a durable truce is achieved. Meanwhile, the Lebanon front remains volatile, with Hezbollah opposing upcoming direct Lebanon–Israel talks in Washington.
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