Hezbollah rejects Lebanon ceasefire, Israel to keep troops

Hezbollah has rejected a proposed ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, demanding Israel's complete withdrawal from the country. The Iran-backed militia's stance complicates efforts to end the ongoing conflict, which has seen escalating violence.

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The negotiations are absurd, humiliating and insulting.

Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem described the negotiations as "absurd, humiliating and insulting." He insisted that the demand for Hezbollah fighters to leave southern Lebanon under fire would amount to "surrender, defeat and achieving the enemy's goals." Kassem stated, "What we are concerned about is an end to the aggression, ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal."

Israel, however, has made it clear that its forces will not be withdrawing. Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed this position, emphasizing that Israeli troops would remain in the area they invaded in March. The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, which established Hezbollah, suggested Israel should at least withdraw to pre-war positions.

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What we are concerned about is an end to the aggression, ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal.

The rejection occurred amidst continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, which local authorities reported killed at least four people. A UN peacekeeper was also killed in the crossfire. Despite US-arranged ceasefires supposedly being in effect, fighting has persisted across the region, including Gaza and Kuwait, with Iran and US forces also engaging in exchanges.

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Israeli forces would not be withdrawing troops from Lebanon.