President Jozef Aoun Vows to ‘Do the Impossible’ as Lebanon Ceasefire Is Extended
Lebanese President Jozef Aoun vows to “do the impossible” to end hostilities as a Lebanon ceasefire extension takes effect, calling for Israeli withdrawal and economic aid.
Lebanese President Jozef Aoun said on Monday he would do “the impossible” to halt the fighting in Lebanon as a newly extended Lebanon ceasefire entered into force. The extension, declared after a truce first announced on April 17, adds 45 days to the halt in large-scale hostilities. Aoun reiterated Beirut’s negotiating framework and urged measures to allow displaced families to return and for financial support to help Lebanon recover.
Aoun’s pledge to end the fighting
Lebanon’s president framed his statement as a duty rooted in his office and responsibility to the Lebanese people. He said he would pursue options that minimize cost while maximizing the chance of stopping the war. The commitment was delivered in a formal presidency statement that emphasized urgency and a clear set of conditions for talks.
45-day ceasefire extension begins
The ceasefire that took effect initially on April 17 has been extended for an additional 45 days starting Monday. Officials described the extension as intended to preserve the pause in major hostilities and create space for negotiations. The extension follows months of intermittent exchanges and comes amid continuing concerns about isolated strikes and violations.
Beirut’s negotiating framework outlined
President Aoun set out Lebanon’s core demands for any negotiations with Israel, centring on the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories. He insisted on a sustained cessation of fire and the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces along the border. The president also called for guaranteed conditions for the safe return of internally displaced persons and for international economic and financial assistance to stabilise affected communities.
Continued strikes despite declared truce
Despite the ceasefire arrangement and direct talks reported between the parties, the presidency noted that Israeli strikes have continued in some areas. The statement underscored the gap between declared pauses and on-the-ground reality, stressing the need for robust monitoring. Lebanese officials have raised concerns that episodic strikes undermine public confidence in the truce and complicate humanitarian operations.
Humanitarian priorities and displaced civilians
A key element of the president’s demand is the swift and safe return of displaced villagers to their homes and farms. Lebanese authorities have highlighted the scale of disruption to daily life, with many families forced to leave their properties amid hostilities. Aoun’s appeal for economic and financial assistance reflects mounting needs for reconstruction, basic services and cash support for affected households.
Regional diplomacy and economic implications
The extension of the ceasefire and Lebanon’s stated negotiating conditions carry wider diplomatic and economic consequences for the region. International partners monitoring the situation have signalled interest in stabilising the border and preventing escalation. Beirut’s call for financial aid also underlines the broader challenge of restoring confidence in Lebanon’s economy after prolonged instability.
The president framed his efforts as pragmatic and cost-conscious, saying the measures he pursues will aim to stop the war with the least possible burden on the country. He stressed that reaching an effective and enforceable arrangement depends on the withdrawal of occupying forces, deployment of the national army along the frontier, and secure conditions for civilians to return. The extended pause offers a window for diplomacy, but officials warn that its success will hinge on strict adherence to the terms and on tangible support for Lebanon’s recovery.
