Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem on Tuesday urged the Lebanese government to withdraw from direct talks with Israel that are scheduled on Thursday in Washington, calling them equivalent to conceding to Jerusalem’s demands. He instead advocated for indirect negotiations mediated by a third party, Jerusalem Post reported. .
The ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict erupted two months ago following the Iran war, and the talks will include discussions on the future of relations between the two countries, which have officially been of war since 1948.
In a letter directed to the group’s officials, Kaseem said that holding direct negotiations with Israel would only benefit the Jewish state, adding that they are similar to “concessions by Lebanese authorities.”
He further urged the government in Beirut to instead resort to indirect negotiations, as it has done in the past, such as when a ceasefire was reached in November 2024.
Kassem also said the group’s weapons were not part of the upcoming negotiations. The Lebanese government has sought the disarmament of the militant group after the latest round of fighting broke out in early March, calling all military activities by the group illegal.
Lebanese authorities have also demanded the cessation of hostilities, Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, deployment of Lebanese troops south of the Litani River, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel and the return of displaced people to their homes.
While Kaseem said that Hezbollah is ready to cooperate to help achieve the five points demanded by the Lebanese government.
