Lebanese President rules out new Israel talks soon during visit to south shaken by blast and earthquake

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun dismissed the prospect of initiating new talks with Israel during his visit to the southern region affected by a recent blast and earthquake. The National had reported earlier that negotiations were unlikely to resume in September, with a Lebanese source stating that the timing was inconvenient. Aoun was in Nabatieh, Lebanon's southern province, alongside army commander Gen Rodolph Haykal at the time of the visit.

The Israeli bombardment of the Ali Al Taher ridge in Nabatieh with over 1,100 tonnes of explosives resulted in a magnitude 4.1 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey. Residents reported a massive explosion felt throughout the region, causing the ground to shake. Aoun emphasized that "no new negotiations with Israel are taking place at the moment" and reaffirmed the nation's commitment to withdrawing Israeli forces, releasing prisoners and displaced people, and reconstructing damaged areas.

The recent events cast doubt on the US-brokered framework aimed at ending hostilities between Lebanon and Israel. Only two "pilot zones" for Israel's withdrawal have been established, with Israeli troops occupying only the outskirts. Despite these agreements, Israel's military advances in southern Lebanon have not been halted, and discussions on verification mechanisms to ensure compliance have stalled.

Moreover, concerns have arisen over Israel's expansion of its occupation in the south, as forces continue to operate beyond the previously established security zone and conduct strikes and demolitions. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has indicated a readiness to expand the campaign by targeting additional locations after the destruction of tunnels used by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group.