Story perspectives

Israeli Troops Inside Lebanon; Aoun Demands Withdrawal, US to Mediate

5/25/2026

Center

Israeli Troops Stay

Israeli troops remain active ten kilometres inside Lebanon’s self-declared “yellow line” despite the April 17 ceasefire.
President Joseph Aoun said Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon is a non-negotiable demand to be pursued via negotiations.
The United States will host a fourth Lebanon-Israel round in June after a May 29 meeting.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected talks, urged protests, prompting Secretary Marco Rubio to condemn move.

Left

Aoun Demands Withdrawal

President Joseph Aoun announced the withdrawal demand during Lebanon’s Resistance and Liberation Day commemorations.
Lebanon will pursue a full Israeli withdrawal through negotiations, with President Joseph Aoun calling it a non-negotiable national demand.
Aoun stressed negotiations assert Lebanon’s sovereign right, not surrender, via its military and security institutions.
The National News Agency issued the statement on 2000 pullout anniversary after 22 years occupation.

History

Historical Context

In March 1978 Israel launched Operation Litani, invading south Lebanon to push the PLO away after the Coastal Road massacre. The UN responded with Resolution 425 and deployed about 4,000 UNIFIL troops to confirm Israel’s withdrawal, though Israel held a 18-km buffer. Decades of Syrian presence, UN resolutions and Hezbollah’s claim of incomplete pullout keep the border dispute alive.

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Israeli Troops Stay

Israeli troops remain active ten kilometres inside Lebanon’s self-declared “yellow line” despite the April 17 ceasefire.
President Joseph Aoun said Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon is a non-negotiable demand to be pursued via negotiations.
The United States will host a fourth Lebanon-Israel round in June after a May 29 meeting.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected talks, urged protests, prompting Secretary Marco Rubio to condemn move.

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