Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Monday refused to enter into direct negotiations with Israel and said that the presumption is “out of the question” and reaffirmed the group’s commitment to armed resistance.
“We will not give up weapons, and the defence and the field have proven our readiness for confrontation,” Qassem said, adding that Hezbollah would continue to respond to what it described as Israeli aggression.
He also criticised Lebanon’s government, saying it had “rushed to make an unnecessary concession” and insisted that only indirect negotiations should be considered.
The remarks come amid renewed tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border despite a US-mediated ceasefire that has been in place since mid-April and recently extended.
The truce has reduced large-scale fighting but has not fully halted cross-border strikes, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Israel has issued fresh evacuation warnings for several towns in southern Lebanon, advising residents to move away from areas it claims are linked to Hezbollah activity.
An Israeli military spokesperson said Hezbollah continues to violate the ceasefire, warning that Israel would respond with force if necessary.
Hezbollah, however, rejected these allegations, saying its actions are a “legitimate response” to repeated Israeli breaches. The group claims there have been hundreds of violations of the ceasefire agreement, which it says undermine the fragile truce.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also directed the military to intensify strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon following recent attacks that reportedly killed several people.
Israeli officials maintain that military operations are necessary to ensure security along the northern border.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered with US mediation, continues to face strain due to ongoing skirmishes and mutual accusations of non-compliance as both sides have been raising concerns over the durability of the truce.
