Lebanon urges US pressure on Israel to halt raids as ceasefire frays

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the United States on Monday to pressure Israel into halting military strikes, ceasefire violations, and the demolition of homes in southern Lebanon, raising the issue directly with US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. The appeal came as Israeli airstrikes continued to pound southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire declared in mid-April, with Lebanon's health ministry reporting dozens killed in recent days.english.news+1

Diplomatic Push Amid Escalating Violence

During Monday's meeting, Aoun "stressed the need to pressure Israel to cease fire, halt military operations, and stop demolishing and bulldozing homes in southern Lebanon," according to a statement from the presidency. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held a separate meeting with Issa in which he asked the ambassador to "exert pressure on Israel to stop the ongoing attacks and violations, in order to consolidate the ceasefire," according to reports.newindianexpress+1

The diplomatic push comes ahead of a third round of US-facilitated talks between Israeli and Lebanese representatives, scheduled for May 14 and 15 in Washington. The discussions are expected to cover Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, border issues, prisoners, displaced populations, and reconstruction.aljazeera+2

Death Toll Mounts Despite Truce

The ceasefire, which took effect on April 17 following weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah tied to broader US-Israeli military operations against Iran, has been repeatedly breached. Lebanon's health ministry reported Sunday that Israeli attacks killed 51 people in just 24 hours, including two medical workers. Since March 2, Israeli assaults have killed at least 2,840 people in Lebanon, wounded nearly 8,700, and displaced over one million from their homes, according to Lebanese government figures.democracynow+2

On Monday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least four more people in southern Lebanon and injured eight others, while two paramedics were wounded responding to earlier attacks, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. Israel issued fresh evacuation warnings for nine towns in southern and eastern Lebanon.aljazeera+1

Fragile Negotiations at Stake

Aoun has resisted US pressure to meet directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying such engagement would be inappropriate before a security agreement is reached and before Israel halts strikes. A Lebanese official told Al Jazeera that Lebanon "will refuse to discuss any further details before the ceasefire is secured".aljazeera+2

Israel maintains its operations target Hezbollah infrastructure, while Hezbollah has claimed retaliatory strikes against Israeli forces, including a drone attack that killed one Israeli soldier near the border.nytimes+1