Hezbollah Rejects U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire, Israeli Strikes Continue

Darwin, 05 June: Hezbollah has rejected a U.S.-mediated ceasefire plan between the Lebanese and Israeli governments, while Israel continues its attacks in southern Lebanon. The country has stated that it will not withdraw its forces from the south.

On Wednesday, the United States announced that if the Iran-backed Hezbollah halts hostilities and withdraws its fighters from areas near the southern Lebanese border, Lebanon and Israel would implement a ceasefire.

However, Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem, who was not part of the discussions, rejected the proposal. In a written statement, he called the talks “shameless” and described Washington’s announcement as a roadmap to eradicate part of the Lebanese population while turning the rest into slaves.

He added, “As long as the occupation continues, resistance will also continue.”

The conflict escalated again after March 2, when Hezbollah, expressing support for Tehran amid U.S. and Israeli attacks, launched operations. Despite several ceasefire announcements from Washington since April, fighting has continued.

The ongoing hostilities have now become a major obstacle to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the regional crisis. Tehran has stated that any agreement must include a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Qassem emphasized that the ceasefire must address southern Lebanon, where Israel maintains a declared security zone, ostensibly to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.

He said, “As long as our villages remain unsafe, bombed, and our people killed, the cities of northern Israel will not be secure either.”

Prior to Hezbollah’s statement, Lebanese President Michel Aoun had said that Washington’s ceasefire framework represented the last chance to achieve a full and lasting truce. If all parties agree, the ceasefire could take effect within a day.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the country would continue its shelling and ground operations.

The Israeli military also issued warnings to residents of southern Lebanon, noting that it was striking Hezbollah positions.

Katz said Israel would continue to “destroy terrorist infrastructure” in the area and asserted that it reserves the right to strike Beirut in response to attacks on Israeli towns and territory.

Security sources reported multiple Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s national news agency reported that five people were killed in an airstrike in Sohmor, while a drone was seen patrolling the skies over Beirut.

Source: Reuters