According to a report by The Times Of Israel on June 8, 2026, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued an uncommon public appeal to Israel’s government and citizens during an interview with CNN, arguing that military action cannot deliver lasting security for communities in northern Israel. He stressed that a political solution remains the only viable path to stability and urged both sides to engage in direct dialogue.
Aoun said Lebanon is prepared to pursue discussions aimed at ending the conflict and improving relations. Addressing Israel directly, he stated, “We are ready, we are willing, we are committed. Are you? If you are, let’s sit and talk.”
The Lebanese president also spoke about the toll repeated conflicts have taken on Lebanon and its people. Emphasizing the desire for normalcy and stability, he said, “We are fed up and we want to live in peace.” He added that Lebanese citizens “deserve to live in peace and in dignity, they deserve not seeing their homes being destroyed every five to 10 years.”
Commenting on Israel’s ongoing military operations, Aoun argued that force alone would not accomplish its goals. He said, “They can invade the whole country, they can flatten the whole country, but they will never be able to achieve their objective.” His statement underscored his belief that military campaigns cannot resolve the underlying issues fueling the conflict.
Aoun also addressed the prospect of direct engagement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said he would not hold a meeting with Netanyahu before an agreement is reached to end the war. According to Aoun, any future arrangement would take the form of a non-aggression pact rather than a comprehensive peace treaty, indicating a focus on ending hostilities and preventing future clashes rather than establishing full diplomatic normalization.