Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut
Beirut, Jul 5: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on the United States to continue supporting Lebanon following a landmark US-mediated agreement with Israel aimed at ending hostilities in southern Lebanon.
In a message congratulating US President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American Independence, Aoun urged Washington to "keep always standing beside Lebanon's right and just causes, its institutions, army and people."
He also expressed hope that Lebanon would "turn the page on wars" and usher in "a new page of hope, peace and stability."
Echoing the sentiment, the US Embassy in Lebanon said in a post on X that it stood with the Lebanese people as they worked towards "a brighter future – one of peace, prosperity and promise long overdue."
Last week, Israel and Lebanon signed a US-backed framework agreement intended to permanently end the conflict involving the Hezbollah armed group in southern Lebanon. The deal calls for the gradual disarmament of Hezbollah, a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the region, beginning with two pilot areas.
However, Hezbollah has rejected the agreement, arguing that it does not include a clear timetable for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The conflict escalated after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel on Mar. 2 in support of Iran, following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with extensive air strikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, capturing several areas.
According to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, the conflict has claimed 4,303 lives and left 12,202 people injured since Mar. 2.
During a visit to the heavily damaged southern city of Nabatieh on Saturday, Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed said the government was implementing a rehabilitation plan that includes prefabricated housing and rental assistance to help displaced residents return to their homes or relocate to nearby areas.
She added that around 400,000 displaced people have already returned to southern Lebanon.
Despite the ceasefire efforts, violence continued on Saturday. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an Israeli Apache helicopter fired five missiles towards the town of Majdal Zoun, while another Israeli strike on the village of al-Mansouri injured one person.
The Israeli military later said its troops had killed an armed fighter operating inside the security zone near Majdal Zoun after identifying him carrying a weapon and opening fire following a search operation.