Hezbollah rejects ceasefire terms; southern Lebanon remains a battlefield

Lebanon and Israel reported new Israeli army attacks in southern Lebanon the day after a ceasefire agreement was reached in Washington. Despite the ongoing violence, Lebanese authorities viewed the deal as a crucial step and a "last chance" for a comprehensive truce.

“

These steps will enable progress toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement. All countries reaffirmed that future relations between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the sovereign governments of both countries. They rejected any attempt by any country or non-state actor to hold Lebanon's future hostage.

However, Hezbollah expressed significantly less enthusiasm, with its leadership insisting on continuing resistance against the Israeli occupation. The agreement, announced late Thursday, is contingent on Hezbollah halting all attacks and withdrawing its fighters from areas south of the Litani River, where fierce clashes with Israeli forces have occurred for months.

“

we will continue to resist the Israeli occupation.

Under U.S. mediation, the Lebanese and Israeli governments agreed to expedite the establishment of "pilot areas" where Lebanese armed forces would have exclusive control, excluding Hezbollah members. "These steps will enable progress toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement," stated a joint declaration. "All countries reaffirmed that future relations between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the sovereign governments of both countries. They rejected any attempt by any country or non-state actor to hold Lebanon's future hostage."

“

attacks on northern Israel will continue as long as the Lebanese population is exposed to attacks by the Israeli army.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that the agreement could be implemented within 24 hours of confirmation by all parties. He insisted its terms favored Lebanon, where 3,500 people have died and over 10,000 have been injured since early March. Yet, initial reactions from Hezbollah suggest the compromise will be difficult to achieve. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned that attacks on northern Israel would continue as long as the Lebanese population faced Israeli army assaults. He also rejected any link between Hezbollah's withdrawal and Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would continue military operations in Lebanon and would not withdraw its forces from the country's south.

“

Israel will continue to carry out military operations in Lebanon and will not withdraw its forces from the south of the country.