Aoun Signals Openness to Normalization with Israel on Liberation Day; Hezbollah-Aligned Factions Protest

President Joseph Aoun delivered a significant address on May 25, Lebanon's Liberation Day — marking the 26th anniversary of Israel's 2000 withdrawal from South Lebanon. While condemning ongoing Israeli strikes as ceasefire violations, Aoun stated he had 'no objection to normalization with Israel' and pledged he would 'not allow Iran to manage Lebanon's reconstruction.' The comments represented the most explicit signal from a Lebanese president toward potential normalization and were widely reported as a major break from traditional Lebanese policy. Hezbollah-aligned politicians and factions criticized Aoun sharply, accusing him of 'going too far in meeting the enemy's demands.' The statement came as Lebanese-Israeli-American talks in Washington were gaining momentum. Separately, the IDF confirmed at least one additional soldier had been killed by a Hezbollah drone in south Lebanon, bringing post-ceasefire IDF deaths to at least 11.