BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon was preventing the Lebanese army from deploying across the area, despite a US-brokered framework agreement that calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal.
According to a statement issued by the president’s office, Aoun stressed the need for increased international pressure on Israel to withdraw its forces.
“The persistence of the occupation undermines the legitimacy of the state and prevents the army from deploying and the laying of the foundations for achieving a just and lasting peace,” the statement quoted the president as saying.
الرئيس جوزاف عون في حوار عبر الفيديو مع "مجموعة العمل الأميركية من أجل لبنان":
* يجب الضغط على إسرائيل للانسحاب من المناطق التي تحتلها في لبنان، لأن بقاء الاحتلال يقوّض شرعية الدولة ويمنع انتشار الجيش، وأسس تحقيق السلام العادل والدائم.
* الجيش والقوى الأمنية اللبنانية حجر… pic.twitter.com/zIdTjn30fT— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) July 6, 2026
President Aoun’s remarks came as Lebanon and Israel prepare to implement a framework agreement signed on June 26 under US mediation, which provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.
Israeli operations continue in Lebanon
Despite the agreement, Israeli forces carried out fresh military operations in southern Lebanon on Monday.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli forces demolished several homes in the border town of Aitaroun.
The agency also said Israeli forces carried out an overnight explosion in the town of Houla in the Marjayoun district.
The operations coincided with continued Israeli drone flights over Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to the NNA.
Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, including areas held for decades and territories seized during the 2023–2024 conflict. Lebanese authorities say Israeli troops also advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory during the latest offensive.
Drone strike kills four in Nabatieh
Separately, four people were killed on Monday when an Israeli drone struck a vehicle in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s state news agency reported.
Lebanese security sources, cited by NNA, described the strike as the deadliest Israeli drone attack in several weeks.
The Israeli military said it was checking the reports.
According to Lebanon’s state news agency, the vehicle was targeted in the Nabatieh area.
The latest incidents occurred despite an ongoing ceasefire and the US-backed framework agreement reached on June 26, which aims to bring an end to hostilities and secure a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon since March 2, after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel. Israel responded with extensive air strikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli military operations since March 2 have killed at least 4,303 people and injured 12,202 others. The conflict has also displaced more than one million people.
