Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has formally rejected a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, labeling the accord a humiliating act of surrender. While the deal, signed in Washington following multiple rounds of negotiations, seeks to disarm the militant group and foster peace, Qassem maintains that the agreement is invalid. He warned that the terms threaten Lebanese sovereignty and could facilitate an Israeli annexation of southern territory.
Conversely, Israeli leadership remains firm on its strategic objectives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the pact as a significant setback for Iran and Hezbollah, confirming that international partners have acknowledged Israel’s right to secure a buffer zone within Lebanon. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued explicit instructions for military forces to brace for an extended deployment, asserting that troops will not withdraw until Hezbollah is fully disarmed throughout the country. Katz further threatened that any Iranian interference aimed at obstructing the agreement would be met with overwhelming force.
The agreement has faced internal friction within Israel, where figures like Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have expressed disapproval. Meanwhile, public reaction in Lebanon remains divided, with protests occurring in Beirut even as some citizens view the deal as the only viable path to ending the conflict. Despite the diplomatic progress, sporadic fighting persists; the Israeli military continues to report strikes against perceived threats, and the Lebanese health ministry has documented recent casualties resulting from these skirmishes.
