Hezbollah rejects Israel-Lebanon deal

Vows to continue armed resistance

Qassem calls the US-brokered framework agreement a surrender of sovereignty as Israeli strikes in Gaza kill two, including a girl.

Beirut: Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Saturday rejected the framework pact between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, calling it “void” and insisting it should be replaced by the Iran-US MoU. Describing the agreement as “humiliating, shameful and a surrender of sovereignty”, Qassem said its implementation would legitimise Israel’s occupation of Lebanese territory for years.

He also rejected proposals linking Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon to Hezbollah’s disarmament, describing such a move as “a very dangerous proposition” that crossed “all red lines”.

“We will continue as a resistance in the field to defeat the occupation,” Qassem said, adding, Hezbollah had not abandoned its armed struggle during the most difficult peri­ods and would not do so now.

Accusing the Lebanese government of granting legitimacy to Israeli occupation, Qassem urged the country’s leaders to reverse what he described as policies that were “destroying Lebanon”. He said Hezbollah remained ready to cooperate in defending Lebanon’s sovereignty, liberating its territory and expelling Israeli forces.

Qassem praised Iran’s role in securing the ceasefire, calling Tehran’s support “a gift of honour, dignity and strength”. He said the Iran-US MoU had strengthened Lebanon by guaranteeing its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Israeli drone strikes hit makeshift tents in the al-Mawasi area of southern Gaza, a safe zone under the ceasefire pact. Sources said two Palestinians, including a girl, were killed and four others injured. 

—Agencies