Hezbollah rejects direct talks anew, Israel says wants disarmament, peace deal

Hezbollah has once again rejected direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, asserting that Beirut does not possess sufficient leverage to compel an Israeli withdrawal from its territory. The Iran-backed group criticized the Lebanese government's pursuit of direct talks, calling it a "downward trajectory" that compromises sovereignty and rights.

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The ruling authority persists in pursuing a downward trajectory, compromising both sovereignty and rights under the pretext that it is compelled to continue direct negotiations with the enemy.

In a statement released Thursday, Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc endorsed its ally Iran's stance, which has linked ending the war in Lebanon to its own negotiations with the United States, brokered by Pakistan. The group accused Lebanese authorities of actively working to undermine this opportunity, even at the cost of their people's lives.

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Yet, instead of seizing this opportunity, the Lebanese authorities are attempting to undermine it, actively working to obstruct it, even at the cost of their own people's blood.

Meanwhile, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to "deepen our operation in Lebanon" to safeguard communities in Israel's north. Mencer confirmed that Israel would continue U.S.-mediated negotiations with Lebanon in Washington, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and establish a peace agreement to enhance regional security, stability, prosperity, and peace.

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to deepen our operation in Lebanon