In a move that was somewhat expected, Hezbollah rejected the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire. In its statement, the organization stated that it “officially informed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun of the rejection of the agreement, insisting that any acceptable agreement must begin with Israel’s complete withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.”
Hezbollah adds that it considers “the return of displaced residents, reconstruction efforts, and the release of Lebanese prisoners” as “essential prerequisites for any future agreement.”
It should be noted that the Iran-backed organization did not participate in the Lebanese government’s talks with Israel in the US.
Hezbollah also announced that it fired several rockets at Israeli forces in the early morning hours and that it will continue fighting until Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory stops.
It is recalled that in April, Hezbollah also rejected another ceasefire proposed by the US with Israel, one day after it was extended for three weeks. The organization stated it was “meaningless, given Israel’s persistence in hostile actions, including assassinations, bombings and shootings.” It has also protested strongly against Lebanon’s bilateral talks with Israel regarding ending the conflict.
It is noted that the current Tel Aviv-Beirut agreement requires “Hezbollah’s fire to cease completely” and for “all Hezbollah members to be urgently removed from the sector south of the Litani,” with this river being key to developments in Lebanon.
IDF continues operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that operations in Lebanon will continue despite the ceasefire, while shortly after, the Israeli army announced that fighting continues in the south, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
Israel will continue “destroying terrorist infrastructure in the region” while having “freedom of action, with United States support, to strike Beirut in response to attacks against Israeli communities and Israeli territory,” Katz characteristically stated.
