Over 1,250 Israeli women have endorsed a call for peace with Lebanon, responding directly to an appeal made by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during a recent interview. The letter, published Sunday and coordinated by Israeli civil society groups including Women Wage Peace, the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum, the Women’s Cabinet – Security, Policy and Society, and Mother’s Cry, expresses a clear rejection of ongoing conflict and war in the region.

In the interview with CNN last week, President Aoun addressed the Israeli public, asking whether they wished to continue living in perpetual conflict. “Aren’t you fed up with war since 1948?” he said. “Do you really want to live in peace? Let’s sit and talk.” Aoun emphasized the need for dialogue over military action, particularly highlighting the persistent threat to Israel’s northern communities from Hezbollah, which has operated in the region for decades. He urged Israel to demonstrate willingness and commitment to ending hostilities for the benefit of people on both sides of the border.

The letter from Israeli women echoed Aoun’s sentiment, acknowledging the toll of decades of violence on both populations. They described the pursuit of peace between Israel and Lebanon as both “worthy and achievable,” grounded not in naivety but in “hope, responsibility, and the understanding that no military solution can provide either people with the future they deserve.” The signatories emphasized their rejection of the notion that war is inevitable and expressed hope for a different future through dialogue.

The call for peace comes amid heightened tensions in the region. On Sunday, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, citing retaliation for rocket fire launched by Hezbollah into Israeli territory earlier that day. In response, a deputy commander of Iran's joint military command condemned Israel’s actions as “crimes” and pledged that they would not go unanswered, according to state media reports.

The exchange highlights the ongoing volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border, where efforts toward dialogue coexist with armed confrontations. While President Aoun’s invitation to talks has been welcomed by civil society groups advocating for peace, the situation remains fraught with risks of escalation linked to Hezbollah and the broader regional dynamics.