Lebanon’s Presidency Denies Rumors About Deterioration of Aoun’s Health

 President Michel Aoun (NNA)
President Michel Aoun (NNA)
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Lebanon’s Presidency Denies Rumors About Deterioration of Aoun’s Health

 President Michel Aoun (NNA)
President Michel Aoun (NNA)

The Lebanese President’s Information Office replied Monday on the recently circulated rumors regarding the health of President Michel Aoun, asserting that security and judicial apparatuses will prosecute the perpetrators.

"Some people spread cheap rumors on social media that deal with the health of His Excellency President Michel Aoun, the latest of which are the fabricated accounts that were circulated in the past two days, in order to cause deliberate confusion in the country and spread concern in the hearts of citizens," the Presidency said.



The Information Office categorically denied these circulated news, which it described as “unfounded.”

It said their broadcasts are prohibited by the laws and regulations in force.

“Therefore, the security and judicial apparatuses will prosecute the perpetrators and their promoters and take appropriate measures against them," the statement said.

In the past few days, media reports circulated on social media that Aoun was seriously ill.

Some of those media reports even attributed a statement to the National News Agency regarding the death of Aoun.

"After midnight yesterday, unidentified persons circulated on the WhatsApp application, a rumor about the passing of the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, which included a false and unfounded scenario attributed to" the National News Agency',” NNA said.

"The agency categorically denies that it posted such news, and asserts that it has absolutely nothing to do with the fabricated accounts attributed to it, the purpose of which is to cause confusion," it explained in a statement.

In this regard, MP Ibrahim Kanaan of Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement published a video on his Twitter accout recording of himself and Aoun taking a walk in the Presidential Palace’s garden on Monday.

“My meeting today in Baabda with the President to discuss the latest economic, financial and social development,” the MP wrote.

Aoun, 85, is the oldest president in the Arab world.



UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as "unacceptable" the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory "unthinkable".

"The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held to account," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid," he said. "It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food."

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that its field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.

The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.

The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site".

However, there have been reports of repeated killings near Rafah as crowds gather to get desperately needed supplies.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians gathering for aid and called reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution "fabrications" by Hamas.