Aoun visits south Lebanon as Israeli violations kill 331 since ceasefire

 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has visited army positions in the country's south, praising the military's role in protecting all citizens and defending national sovereignty as tensions with Israel and the US continue to grow.

Aoun, a former general, travelled to the South Litani Sector command in Tyre on Friday, the eve of Lebanon's Independence Day, where he was received by Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, sector commander Brigadier General Nicolas Tabet and senior officers.

A ceremonial honour guard welcomed him before he toured the operations room for a full security briefing.

In remarks shared by the Lebanese presidency account on X, Aoun said the army had stood firm in its duty to protect "southerners and all Lebanese", describing it as a force committed to safeguarding national dignity, sovereignty and independence.

He added that he hoped "next year's Independence Day will come with all of the south liberated and the Lebanese flag alone raised on the border", in reference to the five southern border points Israel continues to occupy.

General Haykal thanked the president for the visit, saying it reflected Aoun's "constant support for the army and concern for the people of the south and the soldiers deployed there". He reaffirmed the military's commitment to preserving Lebanon's sovereignty and civil peace.

Officers presented Aoun with maps and operational data showing the current deployments, border patrols and the locations where Israeli forces have crossed the UN demarcated Blue Line while constructing a new wall.

They also outlined the army's work to clear unexploded ordnance and to implement the government's plan that requires all weapons to fall under state authority.

Aoun was shown images documenting Israeli advances beyond internationally recognised boundaries. Brigadier General Tabet also briefed him on the latest meeting of the mechanism committee that monitors the ceasefire arrangements and on Lebanon's position in those talks.

Aoun told officers that celebrations for Independence Day would not be held this year due to the security situation in the country, where near-daily Israeli attacks had devastated the south.

He praised the army's "distinguished" role across the south and honoured the 12 soldiers killed since the security plan began.

"The army offers martyrs one after another in defence of these principles," he said, adding that the institution remains unshaken by political attacks and attempts to undermine its credibility.

He ended his visit by congratulating Haykal on Independence Day and thanking him for his "dedicated efforts" to enable the army to carry out its mission.

Aoun repeated his hope that next year's anniversary would come "with all of the south liberated and the Lebanese flag alone raised on its borders as a symbol of sovereignty and national dignity".

The Lebanese health ministry announced earlier on Friday that 331 people had been killed and 945 injured by Israeli attacks on Lebanon from 27 November 2024 - only days after the ceasefire agreement came into force - until 19 November 2025.

UNIFIL has recorded more than 7,500 Israeli airspace violations and around 2,500 ground violations over the past year, along with more than 360 weapons caches handed to the Lebanese army.

On Friday morning, Israeli shells landed in the Yaroun forest in Bint Jbeil district in yet another breach of the truce.

Aoun’s visit also came days after the United States abruptly cancelled General Haykal's planned visit to Washington, a move seen in Beirut as a sign of growing US frustration with the pace of the army's weapons-control plan and its handling of Hezbollah's disarmament.

Haykal was due to meet senior officials to discuss security coordination and continued Israeli violations, but Lebanese authorities were informed of the decision shortly before his departure.