Lebanese President Aoun discusses Israeli attacks with US Secretary of State

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to a statement from the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun stated during the call that Israel's attacks on Lebanese territory must be halted in line with a comprehensive ceasefire.

The statement noted that Lebanon views this step as a "fundamental element" for advancing the negotiations to be held between the US, Israel, and Lebanon in Washington DC, the capital of the US, next week.

Rubio, for his part, reiterated the US's support for Lebanon and its commitment to ensuring security and stability in the country. The US Secretary of State also underscored their support for establishing the authority of the Lebanese government across the country and for supporting Lebanon's legitimate institutions.

47 people died in Israeli attacks in Lebanon

The meeting took place at a time when Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon despite the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran to end the conflicts in the region.

As of last night, Israel had begun conducting airstrikes and artillery fire on various regions of Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that 47 people had lost their lives and 97 people had been injured in the Israeli attacks. The ministry also reported that the total death toll since March 2, when Israel began its intense attacks on the country, had risen to 3,980.

Following the attacks, a US official had announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah would come into effect as of 16:00 local time.