Lebanese President Joseph Aoun renewed on Sunday his call for negotiations with Israel, warning against the risk of southern Lebanon becoming "another Gaza," as Israeli airstrikes and ground operations continue to intensify across the region.
In a televised address, Aoun stated, "It is true that Israel may seek to turn southern Lebanon into Gaza, but it is our duty not to drag it into that outcome."
Responding to critics of his diplomatic approach, he added, "Some ask what diplomacy achieves. I ask: what have we gained from war?" He highlighted the mounting human toll, noting more than 1,400 and 4,000 injured since the escalation began in the tiny country of 3 million.
Drawing comparisons to Gaza, Aoun said, "Gaza has been devastated, with more than 70,000 casualties, and then they sat down to negotiate. Why should we not sit at the negotiating table and stop the tragedy?" He stressed the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts to "save what remains of homes not yet destroyed."
Intensifying Military Developments
On the ground, the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation warning on Saturday evening for civilians near the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, as well as travelers along the M30 road, signaling imminent strikes. Israeli operations have continued across multiple regions in Lebanon.
Lebanon's Disaster Risk Management Unit reported that 675 shelters are currently operational, hosting approximately 137,522 displaced individuals across 35,997 families. Since the conflict escalated in early March, more than 5,463 hostile incidents have been recorded.
Daily casualty figures indicate 54 deaths and 156 injuries in the most recent reporting period, bringing the cumulative total to 1,422 and 4,294 injured, underscoring the growing humanitarian crisis.
Hezbollah and Regional Escalation
Hezbollah announced on Sunday that it had targeted an Israeli naval vessel off the Lebanese coast using a maritime cruise missile, claiming a direct hit following hours of surveillance. The group described the attack as retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanese towns and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed the government's commitment to avoiding further devastation, emphasizing that decisions regarding war and military operations remain solely under state authority. He noted intensified diplomatic efforts to secure Arab and international support to halt the conflict.
Salam warned that Israeli actions and rhetoric suggest a broader strategy aimed at expanding occupation through buffer zones and security belts inside Lebanese territory. "Lebanon must not become a battleground for others' wars," he stated, calling for increased support for displaced populations and host communities.
Israeli Strategy and Shifting Objectives
Israeli media reports indicate that the military is considering establishing a buffer zone extending 2-3 kilometers into southern Lebanon, similar to the so-called "yellow line" in Gaza. This plan could include preventing displaced residents from returning to border villages under any future settlement.
According to reports, Israeli military objectives have evolved. While earlier statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized dismantling Hezbollah as a central goal, more recent assessments suggest that fully disarming the group would require a complete occupation of Lebanon-- an objective now seen as impractical.
Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated threats to expand operations, including the demolition of homes in border villages, drawing comparisons to Israeli actions in Rafah and Khan Younis in Gaza.
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