Israel, Hezbollah Reject Ceasefire Deal, Hopes Dashed

Hopes for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah have been dashed, with both sides rejecting a proposed agreement. Israel insists on continuing military operations until a demilitarized zone is established. Hezbollah, however, decried the deal as a "road map to exterminate part of the Lebanese people and enslave the rest." Lebanese contacts with domestic and international players are ongoing in a bid to rescue the agreement.

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a road map to exterminate part of the Lebanese people and enslave the rest.

The effort to salvage the deal, reached between the Lebanese state and Israel during direct talks in Washington, appears tied to regional developments. Lebanese ministerial sources indicated that Lebanon received Hezbollah's rejection of the agreement from its secretary-general, Naim Qassem, pending clarity on the Iranian position. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who supports a comprehensive ceasefire, remained silent.

Two main obstacles undercut the agreement: the failure to secure a comprehensive ceasefire across Lebanon and Israel's demand for "freedom of movement." A third hurdle, Hezbollah's demand for Israel to withdraw from occupied territory, was eased after the Shiite duo accepted a timetable for withdrawal. This withdrawal would begin after the ceasefire takes effect, with subsequent steps proceeding "step for step."

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each party must bear responsibility if it does not respond

Official Lebanon views the deal as the "last chance" for a final and comprehensive ceasefire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that "each party must bear responsibility if it does not respond" to the agreement's provisions. He added that once replies are received from domestic parties, especially Hezbollah, Lebanon's position would be relayed to the American side to determine the next steps. Aoun praised the Lebanese negotiating team's resolve, noting that Ambassador Simon Karam suspended negotiations until a comprehensive ceasefire was settled, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio intervening to resume talks. Aoun remained in contact with international and domestic parties throughout Wednesday and into Thursday morning to secure the ceasefire, with "brotherly and friendly states" pressuring Lebanon's side and U.S. President Donald Trump set to be the direct guarantor of implementation.

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the last chance

However, the response from Israel was swift. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that the army would not stop firing and would remain in occupied areas "until Hezbollah elements are first removed from the entire area."

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until Hezbollah elements are first removed from the entire area