BEIRUT (Dispatches) — Senior Lebanese politician Walid Jumblatt, former head of the Progressive Socialist Party, reaffirmed his firm opposition to negotiations with Israel on Monday, rejecting any talks under political pressure amid ongoing Israeli aggression.
Jumblatt’s stance comes as criticism mounts within Lebanon over Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire. The decision follows calls by Tom Barak, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, urging Lebanese participation in negotiations. 
Local media reports indicate that most Lebanese political parties have united in rejecting dialogue with Israel, citing the country’s ongoing military violations.
Addressing recent developments in the Mechanism Committee, particularly the appointment of a civilian head for the Lebanese delegation—a move some view as a means to pressure Lebanon—Jumblatt emphasized that negotiations under coercion are unacceptable. 
He called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and stressed the importance of bolstering the Lebanese armed forces to maintain security south of the Litani River. 
Jumblatt also met with Nabih Berri, speaker of the Lebanese parliament, to discuss measures supporting the military and ensuring national defense.
The backdrop of Jumblatt’s remarks includes a sharp escalation in Israeli violations of the 2024 ceasefire. According to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Israeli forces breached the agreement more than 10,000 times since November last year. 
Reports from Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) detail repeated airstrikes targeting eastern and southern areas, including Shmustar near Baalbek, Taraya, Bnaafoul, and multiple sites in the Bint Jbeil district.
Jumblatt’s rejection of negotiations highlights Lebanon’s unified political resistance against Israeli coercion and underscores calls for international accountability for repeated violations. 
The Lebanese leadership continues to push for sovereignty, military strengthening, and the preservation of national territory in the face of ongoing aggression, signaling that political concessions to Israel remain off the table.
This marks a critical moment for Lebanon, as political unity against external pressure contrasts sharply with ongoing security threats from Israeli military aggressions.