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Aoun defends talks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he will not reverse his decision to pursue negotiations with Israel, making the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Baabda in eastern Beirut with a delegation from the Lebanese Forces' parliamentary bloc led by party chief Samir Geagea.
Aoun asked, "Why should the Lebanese people continue paying the price for wars ignited at the behest of external actors and for their interests?" and told the delegation, "I assure you that I will not back down from the decision to negotiate that I have taken," while insisting his positions include explanations to the Lebanese people.
The Anadolu Ajansı account said the proposed framework agreement would restore Lebanon's rights "through diplomatic means" if Israel complies with its provisions and that the agreement is successfully implemented.
Anadolu Ajansı also reported that Lebanon and Israel signed a US-sponsored framework agreement on June 26, providing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, beginning with two unspecified pilot zones.
The same Anadolu Ajansı report said Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2 have killed more than 4,300 people and injured over 12,000, according to official figures.
Critics and protests
Middle East Eye said Aoun again defended the government’s decision to negotiate with Israel during ongoing attacks, telling a Christian political bloc that critics "do not deserve a response".
The outlet also described anger in Lebanon after the US-mediated framework agreement, saying people took to the streets to protest their government over the demand for Hezbollah to disarm in exchange for Israel withdrawing their troops occupying Lebanon.
Anadolu Ajansı reported that the negotiation track drew criticism from Hezbollah and other Lebanese political forces, with Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem saying the agreement was "entirely in Israel's interest" and urging Aoun to adopt indirect negotiations.
In the same Anadolu Ajansı account, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt described the framework agreement as "a unilateral agreement imposed by Israel," adding that peace with Israel was "impossible."
Anadolu Ajansı further said that despite the agreement, the Israeli army has continued its violations, including home demolitions in Khiam and detonating explosives in Taybeh, according to Lebanese media.
Pilot zones and stakes
Ynetnews said Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in Rome next week on implementing the framework of understandings reached between the sides in Washington, and it cited a U.S. official saying the pilot phase is expected to begin within days.
“Summary: Lebanese President Jozef Aoun received today, Friday, at Baabda Palace a delegation from the Strong Republic Bloc led by Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces party”
The U.S. official quoted by Ynetnews said, "The first pilot zone will launch in a matter of days," and added that CENTCOM is coordinating with both countries to move forward.
Ynetnews also reported that Aoun is scheduled to travel to Washington on July 21 for a meeting with President Donald Trump, and it said Aoun told U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa that pressure should be placed on Israel to halt its military operations in southern Lebanon.
In parallel, Andbndant Arabiyya said Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon on Friday, with one person killed and another wounded in two drone strikes carried out by Israeli drones, according to the official National News Agency.
Andbndant Arabiyya reported that Aoun told the Strong Republic Bloc delegation led by Samir Geagea that criticisms of direct negotiations with Israel do not deserve a reply because Lebanon has entered direct negotiations with Israel more than once since 1949.
