Lebanon supports return to 1949 armistice with Israel, President Aoun says

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that Lebanon is prepared to return to the 1949 Armistice Agreement with Israel, a striking statement that could mark a turning point in decades of hostility between the two countries. 

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Aoun signaled Lebanon’s willingness to revive the ceasefire framework that followed Israel’s 1948 War of Independence—potentially setting the stage for a major regional realignment.

The original 1949 agreements, signed by Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria, established armistice lines and ended active military conflict. 

Aoun’s remarks suggest a readiness to re-engage with that structure, amid escalating tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border and increasing scrutiny of Hezbollah’s role within Lebanon.

In a significant revelation, Aoun said the Lebanese army had uncovered tunnels and weapons depots north and south of the Litani River—evidence of ongoing militarization in the region. 

He praised the army’s efforts, describing them as crucial steps toward restoring national sovereignty. However, he noted that the army remains unable to fully deploy across the southern border, citing Israeli control over five contested points.

Despite these limitations, Aoun said Lebanon’s military is prepared to secure the border, calling for the formation of military, civilian, and technical committees to reinforce national defense and urging the international community to pressure Israel into cooperation.

Perhaps most notably, Aoun addressed the sensitive issue of Hezbollah, stating that a national consensus has been reached to limit the possession of arms strictly to the Lebanese state. 

He emphasized that this policy would be implemented through dialogue, not confrontation—a significant statement given Hezbollah’s deep entrenchment in Lebanon’s political and military framework.

This dramatic statement by Aoun underscores a seismic shift currently transforming Lebanese internal politics. 

That shift is a direct consequence of the bold and highly effective operations conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against Hezbollah’s infrastructure in recent months. 

As Hezbollah’s grip weakens, Lebanon’s leadership appears increasingly willing to assert state control and recalibrate its strategic posture.

A return to the 1949 armistice agreement could genuinely herald the beginning of a normalization process between Jerusalem and Beirut. 

Such a development would have earth-shattering positive consequences for the region—boosting stability, encouraging economic prosperity, and offering a rare chance for lasting peace in a historically volatile corridor of the Middle East.