Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, said Israel’s attacks on the south of this country are a “clear message” about negotiations between the two sides. The remarks were made ahead of the next round of U.S.-backed talks, to be held in Rome in the early part of next month.

Based on a statement from the Lebanese presidential office, Aoun condemned “Israel’s ongoing attacks” on the south and “repeated violations of the framework agreement and of international law regarding the protection of civilians,” violations which, according to him, led to the killing of an entire family in the village of Ansar.

The statement said these violations are “a clear message to the path of negotiations and to America’s efforts to implement this agreement.”