Hezbollah rejects deal with Israel, which expects ‘extended stay’ in Lebanon

Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement on a 10-day ceasefire, announced by the US President, intended to de-escalate the broader Middle East conflict. The deal, signed in Washington after five rounds of talks, also includes provisions for disarming Hezbollah.

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a blow to Iran and Hezbollah

However, the agreement faces strong opposition from Hezbollah. Its leader, Naim Qassem, denounced the deal as "humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty." He warned that it could lead to the Israeli annexation of southern Lebanon and declared the agreement "null and void," insisting on the implementation of an Iranian-American memorandum of understanding.

Conversely, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz signaled a continued military presence in Lebanon. He instructed troops to "prepare for an extended stay" in the southern part of the country, emphasizing that Israeli forces would not withdraw as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stating that both the US and Lebanon recognize Israel's right to maintain a security zone.

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humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty

The deal has also drawn criticism from within Israel, with far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir arguing that only Israeli forces can disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon was drawn into the regional conflict on March 2 when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel, retaliating for the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with airstrikes and an invasion of southern Lebanon, where its troops currently occupy territory and have been involved in demolitions.

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This agreement is null and void, and the provisions of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding must be implemented

Hezbollah supporters protested the agreement in Beirut, with one resident calling it "humiliating and shameful." Meanwhile, Israeli officials have threatened to use "great force" against Iran if it attempts to interfere with the agreement's implementation.

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to prepare for an extended stay