BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday accused Israel of responding to its offer to negotiate by intensifying its air strikes, the latest of which killed a man riding a motorbike in southern Lebanon. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Israel maintains troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and has kept up regular air strikes. Aoun had called for negotiations with Israel in mid-October, after US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire in Gaza. “Lebanon is ready for negotiations to end the Israeli occupation, but any negotiation...

Hezbollah welcomes the president's announcement as Israel escalates attacks on Lebanese territory.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says ready to negotiate despite Israeli refusal, as new strikes kill one in the south.