Hezbollah Leader Urges Lebanon to Cancel Meeting with Israel in Washington

Hezbollah's leadership has strongly urged Lebanon to withdraw from a planned meeting with Israel in Washington, denouncing any form of direct negotiation with what they term the "usurping Israeli entity." Naim Qassem, a prominent leader within the Iran-backed group, made a public call for the cancellation of the talks, scheduled for Tuesday.

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We reject negotiations with the usurping Israeli entity ... We call for a historic and heroic stance by cancelling this negotiating meeting.

Qassem articulated Hezbollah's unwavering stance, stating, "We reject negotiations with the usurping Israeli entity... We call for a historic and heroic stance by cancelling this negotiating meeting." He further described the proposed negotiations as "futile" and requiring a Lebanese consensus that he believes does not exist.

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These negotiations are futile and require a Lebanese agreement and consensus.

This strong opposition from Hezbollah comes as Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors were set to convene in Washington to discuss the possibility of direct peace talks. While Lebanese authorities have emphasized the need for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, Israel has reportedly prioritized formal peace negotiations.

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We want the dismantling of Hezbollah's weapons, and we want a real peace agreement that will last for generations.

Hezbollah supporters have actively voiced their dissent, staging protests against the planned talks and accusing Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of being a "zionist." The group, which has been engaged in a conflict with Israel since March 2, has seen significant casualties and displacement within Lebanon, further fueling the resistance against any normalization with Israel.

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We will not surrender, we will remain in the field until our last breath.