Lebanon-Israel talks to continue as fresh Israeli airstrikes hit southern towns

By Xinhua Published: Dec 05, 2025 11:06 AM

A rescue worker inspects buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the town of Jbaa, south Lebanon, Dec. 4, 2025. Israeli airstrikes targeted buildings in four towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday afternoon, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported. According to a Lebanese army intelligence source, four buildings were destroyed and around 20 nearby homes were damaged. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A firefighter attempts to extinguish fire in a building destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the town of Jbaa, south Lebanon, Dec. 4, 2025. Israeli airstrikes targeted buildings in four towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday afternoon, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported. According to a Lebanese army intelligence source, four buildings were destroyed and around 20 nearby homes were damaged. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vowed Thursday that his country will make no concessions regarding its sovereignty in ongoing talks with Israel, while Israel launched fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

A day after the first session of the talks in southwestern Lebanon's Naqoura, the first direct talks in decades attended by Israeli and Lebanese officials, during which Lebanon focused on Israeli violations of the ceasefire and UN Resolution 1701, Aoun outlined Lebanon's objectives in a cabinet session at the Baabda presidential palace.

Aoun said he has instructed former Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Simon Karam, a civilian envoy heading the Lebanese delegation, to focus on ending Israeli incursions, securing a border delineation, and the return of prisoners, read a statement released by the Lebanese Presidency.

Economic cooperation or a peace agreement is not part of the current mandate of the ceasefire monitoring committee, Aoun said. The committee, established following the truce between Israel and Lebanon in November last year, is composed of representatives from the U.S., France, Lebanon, Israel, and the UN force.

The first session of the direct talks between Lebanon and Israel did not produce major outcomes, but "paved the way for an upcoming session," scheduled to resume on Dec. 19, Aoun said, adding that the talks target no particular group.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes targeted buildings in four towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday afternoon, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported.

According to a Lebanese army intelligence source, four buildings were destroyed and around 20 nearby homes were damaged.

Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli military said it had carried out a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, hitting "several" Hezbollah weapons storage facilities about an hour after issuing evacuation warnings for two nearby villages.

These developments occurred against the backdrop of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the U.S. and France, which has been in effect since November 2024.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to conduct near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon, saying it targets Hezbollah activity.

Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025 shows buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the town of Jbaa, south Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes targeted buildings in four towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday afternoon, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported. According to a Lebanese army intelligence source, four buildings were destroyed and around 20 nearby homes were damaged. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)