Hezbollah rejects one-sided ceasefire

Beirut: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated that the 10-day ceasefire with Israel must be mutual to remain effective. In a televised statement, Qassem warned that resistance fighters remain “with their hands on the trigger” and will respond to any Israeli attacks on Lebanon. 

“There is no ceasefire from one side only,” Qassem said, adding, Hezbollah fighters “will respond to violations of aggression accordingly”.

Qassem heavily criticised the US role in the negotiations, claiming it was an insult for Washington to dictate the text of the agreement on behalf of Lebanon. He described the recent direct diplomatic enga­gements between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington as a “shameful spectacle” and a “humiliation”.

He outlined five key steps: a permanent halt to hostilities across Lebanon, a full Israeli withdrawal, release of detainees, return of displaced residents, and reconstruction with Arab and international support. He suggested integrating the group’s military strength into a formal national security strategy to protect the country.

Another soldier dies

An Israeli reserve soldier was killed and nine others injured in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army said on Sunday, amid ongoing violations of a temporary ceasefire. Master Sgt Lidor Porat, 31, was killed during an incident.