00:00Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has made a rare direct appeal to Tel Aviv
00:04to pursue negotiations instead of military action as a means of bringing the war to an end.
00:11In an interview with CNN, Aoun says Lebanon is ready and fully committed
00:16to engaging in direct talks to resolve the conflict.
00:22Aoun also revealed that the Lebanese government is holding direct talks with Israel through U.S.
00:28mediation in an effort to secure a complete ceasefire.
00:31However, Hezbollah opposes the negotiations and continues to clash with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
00:38The conflict began on March 2nd when Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel in support of its ally Iran.
00:44Israel responded with airstrikes and ground operations that have killed more than 3,600 people,
00:51while fighting has displaced over one million residents.
00:54On April 16th, the U.S. announced a ceasefire.
00:57However, despite the truce, Lebanese officials say hostilities have continued,
01:02with Israel carrying out nearly 3,500 strikes since the ceasefire was declared.
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