Hezbollah Rejects Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Understandings

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem published a written statement this afternoon (Thursday), in response to last night’s U.S. announcement about a ceasefire agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel.

In his statement, Qassem wrote: "The outcome of the direct negotiations, humiliating and disgraceful for Lebanon, is rejected in its entirety by large segments of the Lebanese people. We are interested only in a complete halt to the aggression, a ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal. The ceasefire must be comprehensive, without separating the south from the rest of Lebanon, and without granting the Israeli enemy freedom to kill in Lebanon. As long as the occupation exists, the resistance will continue."

Qassem emphasized: "We have not committed to anyone that we would not resist the aggression or respond to it. As long as the aggression continues, we will confront it and respond at the place and time we decide and are able to. As long as our villages are not safe, are being shelled and destroyed, and as long as our people are being killed, the communities in the north will also not be safe."

Meanwhile, Al Hadath reported that the Lebanese army is deploying forces in the direction of the Dbine road, at the entrance to a village located north of Marj Ayoun, following the withdrawal of IDF forces from the area.

It should be noted that according to the framework presented in the U.S., the understandings reached between Israeli and Lebanese representatives include: the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces to north of the Litani River. IDF forces will begin a gradual withdrawal from the territories seized in southern Lebanon.

It was also decided that the Lebanese army would be the only armed force operating in the south of the country, with a significant reinforcement of UNIFIL forces, in order to ensure enforcement of Resolution 1701. One of the points understood tacitly: Israel will retain the right to act militarily in the event of violations by Hezbollah, such as attempts to rearm or build terror infrastructure near the border. In addition, an agreement was reached to establish an international committee led by the U.S. that will oversee implementation of the agreement and serve as the address for resolving disputes on the ground.