Lebanese officials slam Israeli aggression on South Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
18 Sep 2025 23:19
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Lebanese leaders condemned "Israel’s" airstrikes on the south, warning that silence from sponsors emboldens aggression and urging a unified stance.

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Smoke billows after Israeli airstrikes strike South Lebanon, September 9, 2025. (Social Media)

Lebanese authorities strongly denounced the recent Israeli attacks on southern towns and villages, warning that continued violations undermine the cessation of hostilities and threaten Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Aoun: Silence encourages aggression

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the afternoon air raids that struck southern areas, denouncing them as a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Aoun stated on the Lebanese presidency’s X account that "Israel does not respect the mechanism nor the countries sponsoring the cessation of hostilities agreement." He stressed that silence from sponsoring nations constitutes “a dangerous omission that encourages these attacks.”

“The mechanism must serve all parties,” Aoun added, “not be a means to cover up Israel’s aggression.”

دان رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون الغارات الاسرائيلية التي استهدفت قرى وبلدات جنوبية بعد ظهر اليوم، بعد اعتداءات مماثلة طالت قبل ايام مناطق بقاعية.

الرئيس عون: "ان إسرائيل لا تحترم عمل الآلية ولا أيًّا من الدول الراعية لاتفاق وقف الأعمال العدائية وغاراتها الجوية انتهاك فاضح…
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) September 18, 2025

'Where is Israel’s commitment?'

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a statement condemning the Israeli threats, reaffirming that Lebanon is actively involved in the meetings of the Quintet.

He stressed that the legitimate question today is: “Where is Israel's commitment to these mechanisms? How can it continue to engage in intimidation and aggression, when these meetings are supposed to ensure the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities?”

The prime minister called on the international community, especially the countries sponsoring the ceasefire agreement, to exert maximum pressure on the Israeli entity to immediately cease its attacks and return to full compliance, including withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories, ceasing all attacks, and releasing Lebanese prisoners.

Berri slams aggression as one against all Lebanon

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned that the raids amount to more than ceasefire violations.

“These are acts of aggression against Lebanon, its sovereignty, its army, and UNIFIL forces and their mandated tasks,” Berri said. He called for a unified Lebanese stance against the occupation’s ongoing attacks.

4,500 violations since ceasefire

The Lebanese Army reported that "Israel" has carried out more than 4,500 violations since the 2024 ceasefire agreement, including land, sea, and air breaches.

It warned that ongoing strikes, which include incendiary bombings and house demolitions, are hindering army deployment in the south, particularly from the Litani River region.

The army also revealed it discovered a camouflaged Israeli espionage device in the Labouna-Tyre area, which is now being dismantled. Coordination with UNIFIL and the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee is ongoing.

يواصل العدو الإسرائيلي خروقاته التي فاق عددها ٤٥٠٠ خرقًا منذ دخول اتفاق وقف الأعمال العدائية حيز التنفيذ، عقب عدوانه الأخير على لبنان في العام ٢٠٢٤.
في هذا الإطار، يستمر العدو الإسرائيلي في اعتداءاته على المواطنين وآخرها استهداف عدد من القرى الجنوبية اليوم، بالإضافة إلى المدنيين… pic.twitter.com/ZBSNpRH3FR
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) September 18, 2025

'Israel will not break our people'

Meanwhile, MP Hassan Fadlallah of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc said, “Israel’s renewed aggression against the south will not push our people to submit.” He stressed that no international guarantees exist to restrain Israeli terrorism.

Similarly, bloc member Hussein al-Haj Hassan slammed the attacks as part of the entity’s wider expansionist project. “The enemy seeks to impose its policies and redraw borders with fire,” al-Haj Hassan warned, urging Lebanese unity in the face of existential threats.