Lebanon’s president: Israeli strikes a ‘clear message’ on the negotiations

By AFP and ToI Staff 15 August 2026, 1:37 pm

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Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference after the EU Summit in Nicosia, Cyprus, April 24, 2026. (AP/Petros Karadjias)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says Israeli strikes on the country’s south were a “clear message” on negotiations between the two countries, ahead of the next round of US-sponsored talks early next month in Rome.

Aoun condemns the “ongoing Israeli attacks” on the south and “repeated violations of the framework agreement… and international law on protecting civilians, which led to the death of an entire family in the village of Ansar,” according to a statement from his office, adding that “these violations are a clear message on the negotiation process.”

The Israel Defense Forces said earlier it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in response to an attack on troops. Reports say nine people have been killed in the Israeli strikes.