Hezbollah leader slams Lebanon-Israel deal as 'surrender'

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Saturday condemned a US-Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, labeling it "humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty." He declared the deal, signed in Washington on Friday, "null and void."

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The framework agreement in Washington is humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty. This agreement is null and void, and the provisions of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding must be implemented.

Qassem accused Lebanese authorities of a "grave blunder" by legitimizing Israel's occupation of Lebanese territory for years to come. The agreement includes a pilot program where Lebanese soldiers will control two areas currently occupied by Israel. It also outlines a process for disarming Hezbollah.

The framework was signed after five rounds of talks and follows a US-Iran memorandum of understanding that has reduced regional conflict. Lebanon was drawn into the wider Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, retaliating for the killing of Iran's supreme leader. Israel responded with airstrikes and an invasion of southern Lebanon.

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The framework agreement in Washington is humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty.

Hezbollah supporters protested the agreement in Beirut. However, some Lebanese citizens expressed uncertainty about its effectiveness. "I don't think it will stop the Israeli aggression. They say it will happen in the future. Let's wait and see what this agreement achieves," said Husam Beiruiti, 43.

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The agreement reached is a humiliating and shameful one.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the agreement "a first step" toward restoring his country's sovereignty, while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed it.

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I don't think it will stop the Israeli aggression. They say it will happen in the future. Let's wait and see what this agreement achieves.