Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Monday that direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not proceed until Israel halts its military strikes on Lebanon and both sides agree to a new security arrangement. Speaking amid ongoing tensions, Aoun emphasized that the current conditions are not suitable for a meeting, asserting that Israeli attacks must cease before negotiations can advance.

Last month, representatives from Lebanon and Israel held two meetings in Washington under the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump, marking the first such diplomatic engagement in decades. These talks led to a temporary ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, but violence resumed earlier this month with renewed Israeli airstrikes. On Monday, the Israeli military conducted additional attacks following evacuation orders issued to residents in four towns in southern Lebanon. Since the conflict began, the strikes have killed over 2,600 people and displaced more than one million.

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, reiterated the group’s opposition to direct negotiations with Israel. Qassem argued that engaging in talks would place Lebanon "under tutelage" and constitute an unnecessary concession without producing tangible results. Additionally, Hezbollah demands an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon as a precondition for any discussions and has no immediate plans to disarm, despite disarmament being a key Israeli demand and a stated objective of ongoing negotiations.

Despite these obstacles, President Aoun acknowledged the importance of continuing on a path toward negotiations, stating there is no alternative to dialogue, even if progress is currently stalled. The situation remains fragile as both Lebanon and Israel navigate complex security challenges and deep-seated political disagreements that complicate efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and diplomatic resolution.