Lebanese President Aoun condemns IDF strikes, calls them violation of framework agreement

Aoun and Salam called for an end to Israeli strikes after the IDF targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned ‘ongoing Israeli attacks’ in southern Lebanon, calling it a ‘violation of the Framework Agreement’ in a post from his office’s X/Twitter account on Saturday morning.

The President's statement came in response to IDF strikes on Hezbollah's military infrastructure in the village of Ansar in southern Lebanon overnight on Saturday, following what the IDF described in a statement as aggressive actions by Hezbollah forces towards IDF soldiers on the Ali al-Taher Ridge.

According to claims from Lebanese state media, the IDF's retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah in Ansar killed seven people, allegedly including three women and two children.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also responded to the IDF strikes, calling on Israel to "halt its military escalation" in Southern Lebanon in a post to X/Twitter on Saturday morning.

“The responsibility for dealing with any military structures, if they exist on Lebanese territory, lies exclusively with the Lebanese state, through the Lebanese army and its legitimate institutions, and their existence does not grant Israel the right to violate Lebanese territory or endanger civilians.” Salam asserted.

“Israel must halt this escalation. For the security of our people and their right to life on their land are not subject to negotiation or bargaining.” He added.

Ongoing push for trilateral framework agreement

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon have remained in a state of flux since the trilateral framework, agreed upon by Israel, Lebanon, and the United States, was signed in June. 

The peace agreement, which aims to encourage diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries, remains uncertain as the IDF continues to maintain its presence in Southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah refuses to disarm.