Lebanese President Aoun Meets Trump Amid Israeli Concerns Over Hezbollah's Role

Lebanese President Michel Aoun is holding meetings in Washington today with senior American officials, including Senator Marco Rubio and former President Donald Trump. Their scheduled meeting at 9:30 a.m. U.S. time (4:30 p.m. Lebanon time) marks the first encounter between a Lebanese and U.S. president at the White House since 2009. A political source told the Lebanese newspaper Nidaa Al-Watan that this visit and the meeting with Trump could significantly impact the trajectory of Lebanon-Israel negotiations and the overall security situation in Lebanon, especially in the south. The source emphasized that Lebanon must fully leverage this rare opportunity, reflecting Trump's personal interest and respect for President Aoun.

Meanwhile, Israeli security officials express concern that Hezbollah might retain its military strength and autonomy across Lebanon even after implementing the Israel-Lebanon memorandum of understanding. Such a scenario could place Israel in a difficult position vis-à-vis the U.S. and the Lebanese government. A senior security official noted that the Lebanese government and army fear civil war and are reluctant to confront Hezbollah directly, hoping that political processes and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will manage the situation. Concurrently, the IDF is enhancing its defenses along the Israel-Lebanon border by securing nearby communities, strengthening positions near the Litani River with new outposts, and destroying Hezbollah's weapons and terror infrastructure both above and below ground in areas under Israeli operational control.