Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem rejected on Thursday the ceasefire agreement announced by the governments of Lebanon, Israel and the United States in Washington the previous day. Kassem demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from southern Lebanon, warning that attacks against northern Israel would continue.
The same day, new Israeli bombardments in southern Lebanon killed at least eight people and wounded eight others, including women and children, according to Beirut’s Health Ministry. “The ceasefire must be comprehensive, without separating the south from the rest of the country,” Sheikh Kassem emphasized in a message broadcast by his movement’s media outlets.
The Iran-backed faction is accused of dragging Lebanon into the Middle East war by launching attacks against Israel in retaliation for the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the American-Israeli strike against the Islamic Republic.
Seeking to secure an end to the armed conflict, the Lebanese government is conducting negotiations with Israel under US auspices. This represents an unprecedented move in decades, as the two countries have no diplomatic relations and legally remain in a state of war. However, Hezbollah rejects these talks.
After the fourth round of negotiations concluded on Wednesday, a new agreement was announced — while the ceasefire announced for April 17 was never implemented. The agreement provides for a ceasefire, but with conditions, including the complete cessation of Hezbollah activities. For Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, it represents “the last chance to reach a comprehensive and definitive ceasefire” with Israel.
Lebanon: Hezbollah rejects agreement and sets conditions for border security
But Sheikh Kassem demanded the government “stop the masquerade and humiliation of direct negotiations” with Israel.
Hezbollah’s secretary-general emphasized there would be no “security” in northern Israel without security in the “villages” of southern Lebanon, while the signed text states Israeli armed forces operations in the sector will continue at this stage. “As long as occupation is present, resistance continues,” he insisted.
Hezbollah is called upon to withdraw its fighters from the area between the Lebanon-Israel border and the Litani River, about thirty kilometers north, and end hostilities.
Speaking of “complete ceasefire from Hezbollah” and withdrawal of “resistance members” from the south, while “attacks continue,” is nothing but “accepting defeat and surrender” that serves only “enemy objectives,” according to Hezbollah Secretary-General Kassem.
The Shiite movement officially informed Lebanese authorities it refuses to accept the agreement signed in Washington, a high-ranking faction source clarified to AFP, speaking anonymously. Despite the rejection, Lebanon’s government announced the upcoming deployment of its army in “pilot zones” in the south.
Fighting continues despite ceasefire announcement – “Heavy” war toll
For now, hostilities continue – both Israeli bombardments and Hezbollah attacks. It’s not exactly “the first time a ceasefire is announced and Israel violates it,” commented Mohamed Samsedin, 56, who was forced to leave his home in southern Beirut, speaking to AFP.
“It’s a ceasefire concerning only one side, and I believe it will remain a dead letter. Do you hear the drone above my head?” he added – as an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle flew at low altitude over the Lebanese capital’s skies.
In southern Lebanon, a Serbian UN peacekeeper was killed and two other members of the UN peacekeeping force were wounded in a mortar attack late Wednesday night. This marks the seventh loss in the ranks of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since early March.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned this “murder,” emphasizing the ceasefire must be respected, according to a statement released by his spokesperson.
An investigation is underway to determine which side opened fire. Israel’s army blamed Hezbollah. This is an “unfounded and false” accusation, the Shiite movement countered.
As for the other theater of war, negotiations between Washington and Tehran appear to be making progress. Iran demands any agreement include ending the armed conflict in Lebanon and withdrawal of Israeli troops from its southern section. The US wants to “separate” the Lebanon issue.
Israeli bombardments and military operations have cost the lives of over 3,500 people in Lebanon since the new war erupted on March 2, while forcing over 1 million citizens to abandon their homes, according to Beirut authorities. On the Israeli side, according to official data, 27 soldiers and armed forces contractors have been killed. On Thursday, another Israeli soldier’s death was announced.
