Lebanese President Aoun says most Lebanese, including Shiites, support negotiations with Israel

What happened

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told L’Orient Today on July 8 that the decision to negotiate with Israel has the support of most Lebanese citizens, including some within the Shiite community. He defended the move as necessary to protect Lebanon from being drawn into broader regional conflicts, particularly related to Iran, and to limit further destruction and loss of life.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The president emphasized that the negotiations, which led to a U.S.-brokered framework agreement signed on June 26, aim to stop Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon, enable Lebanese army deployment in liberated areas, and ultimately end the Israeli occupation. He dismissed abandoning the diplomatic track and urged Lebanese citizens to maintain faith in the process despite difficulties.

Hezbollah, however, categorically rejects the talks and the framework agreement, labeling it "null and void," and insists the conflict resolution must involve a broader U.S.-Iran deal. This position contrasts with Aoun's approach and underscores the internal divisions in Lebanon regarding how to handle the Israeli confrontation.

Known from the source

• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun publicly supports negotiations with Israel.
• A U.S.-brokered framework agreement was signed on June 26.
• Aoun claims the majority of Lebanese including some in the Shiite community back the talks.
• Hezbollah rejects the agreement and negotiations, calling them "null and void."
• Renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel began on March 2, 2026.

What remains unclear

Since March 2, renewed hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have resulted in over 4,300 deaths in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry’s official figures. The recent conflict broke after a 15-month ceasefire that was undermined by Israeli attacks beginning in late 2024. In this context, Aoun met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss southern Lebanon’s recovery, including infrastructure restoration and easing civilian returns, and stressed the need to consolidate ceasefire and speed Israeli withdrawal.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of Aoun’s claim that the majority of Lebanese including Shiites support negotiations. Confirmation of the number of casualties reported by the Health Ministry. Details and public confirmation of the U.S.-brokered framework agreement provisions.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: L Orient Today. Open the source.