Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has flatly rejected the newly proposed US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, dismissing the deal as another form of surrender. Likening it to little more than an “illusion”, Qassem made clear that the Iran-backed militia had no intention of accepting the framework agreed upon by Beirut and Jerusalem.
His rejection came less than a day after Israel and Lebanon announced a renewed ceasefire arrangement, which they hoped would turn into a lasting comprehensive arrangement.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the two governments said the ceasefire would be contingent on “a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from areas south of the Litani River.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had said earlier on Thursday that he was awaiting the militia’s formal response and indicated that implementation could begin within 24 hours if all parties agreed.
However, Hezbollah’s leadership was quick to turn any hopes of a ceasefire, and potential peace agreement into ash.
In a written statement broadcast on the group’s Al-Manar television channel, Qassem condemned the proposed arrangement, arguing that it operated in Jerusalem’s favour, as it demanded concessions from Hezbollah all the while IDF operations continued.
“A security framework under a false ceasefire that requires Hezbollah to stop firing and withdraw from the south while aggression continues under military pressure is surrender and defeat,” he said.
Qassem described the negotiations that produced the agreement as “absurd” and “humiliating”, claiming the proposal would leave part of Lebanon vulnerable while stripping others of their rights.
Calling the deal “a roadmap for the destruction of part of the Lebanese people and the enslavement of the rest”, he added: “It is an illusion, like the devil’s dream of entering paradise.”
The Hezbollah chief reiterated the group’s long-standing position that any agreement must begin with a complete halt to Israeli military operations and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.
“We are only concerned with a full cessation of aggression and a complete Israeli withdrawal,” Qassem said. “We will fight the invaders until we expel them and stop their aggression.”
