Published On 4/24/2026
Lebanese Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said on Friday that the continuation of Israeli military operations, including targeting areas in Yater and Kafra and bombing residential neighborhoods in Khiam and Bint Jbeil, constitutes a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement, which was supposed to include a cessation of all hostilities, including the destruction of homes and facilities.
Hani added, in statements to Al Jazeera Mubasher, that Lebanon is following up on this file through its contacts with the United States. He added that the Lebanese ambassador in Washington had called for a comprehensive ceasefire for 21 days, but Israel did not adhere to that.
He pointed out that the repercussions of the war on Lebanon have become very large, pointing out that the number of victims approached 2,500 dead, while the number of wounded exceeded 7,700, in addition to the complete destruction of more than 20,000 housing units, and about 35,000 units were partially damaged, in addition to extensive damage to the infrastructure and production sectors.
Regarding the Lebanese government’s options if the violations continue, Hani stressed that Beirut will continue its contacts with Lebanon’s friends, including the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, in order to put pressure on stopping the war, considering that the continuation of the current situation leads to the depletion of southern Lebanon and its infrastructure, and increases the number of victims, in light of the targeting of even journalists and ambulance crews.
Power imbalance
In the face of internal calls to withdraw from the negotiations, the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture stressed that Lebanon does not have wide options in light of the imbalance of power with Israel, stressing that the government seeks to achieve a national consensus to end the war, ensure the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanese territory, the return of residents to their villages, the release of prisoners, and the start of reconstruction.
Hani said that the negotiation process is taking place under international auspices, and that Lebanon is keen to be an independent party in this process, and refuses to turn it into a regional negotiating card, stressing at the same time the importance of preserving coexistence as a “red line,” in light of a broad consensus among the Lebanese on the necessity of ending conflicts and isolating the country from regional tensions.
Regarding the proposal to amend the Lebanese laws related to the boycott of Israel, the minister considered that talking about this step is too early, indicating that the current priority is focused on stopping the war and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces, in preparation for reconstruction and the return of normal life.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had stressed earlier from Cyprus the need to move from the crisis phase to the recovery phase, and pointed out that the country is facing a renewed war and worsening humanitarian and economic challenges, in light of widespread displacement and great pressure on infrastructure and services, in addition to a decline in economic activity.
Aoun stressed that Lebanon, despite these circumstances, does not view the current stage only from the perspective of crisis, but also sees in it opportunities that may be lost if action is not taken collectively, calling for intensifying efforts to get out of the repercussions of the war towards the path of recovery and stability.
