Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for diplomatic engagement with Israel amid escalating border tensions, emphasizing that negotiation is the only viable path forward. Speaking at Baabda Palace during a meeting with officials on Monday, Aoun underscored the importance of diplomacy over war, stating, “In politics, there are three tools: diplomacy, economy, and war. When war leads nowhere, what else can we do? Every war in the world eventually ends with negotiations, and negotiation is never with a friend or ally, but with an enemy.” He highlighted the destructive nature of war, praising the diplomatic efforts of Lebanon’s leadership, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Aoun also stressed the need for national unity, urging politicians to prioritize Lebanon’s interests over sectarian divisions and electoral ambitions. The call for diplomacy comes after a deadly raid on the border village of Blida in late October, which prompted Aoun to order the Lebanese army to respond to any Israeli incursions. While a US- and French-brokered ceasefire has been in place since late November 2024, Israel has continued occasional strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah threats. These actions have been condemned by Lebanon and international organizations as violations of the truce.