The secretary-general of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, has categorically rejected the possibility of direct negotiations with Israel, insisting his movement will neither disarm nor surrender, as cross-border hostilities intensify and both sides accuse each other of violating the fragile truce brokered last month.
Qassem sets conditions for any contact
The secretary-general of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, issued a statement on Monday against the backdrop of discussions in Lebanon over the possibility of direct talks with Israel. He rejected such a format for engagement and reaffirmed that the movement has no intention of discussing disarmament, according to the Hezbollah-affiliated broadcaster Al-Manar.
Qassem said any form of contact would only be possible if a series of conditions were met, including an end to what he called aggression on land, at sea and in the air; the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories; the release of prisoners; the return of residents to all their towns and villages; and postwar reconstruction.
He also called on Lebanese authorities to abandon direct negotiations in favour of indirect ones, to reconsider decisions aimed at criminalising “resistance”, and to initiate a national dialogue.
“We will not give up our weapons, and we will continue the resistance,” Qassem said. “Whatever the threats, we will not retreat, we will not bow and we will not be defeated.”
Hezbollah claims military resilience
He stressed that Israel, with US support, had failed to achieve its stated objectives since the start of its military campaign on September 23, 2024.
“The enemy has reached a dead end, while the resistance remains steadfast and cannot be defeated,” Qassem added.
According to the Hezbollah leader, the group’s military potential remains “inexhaustible,” and Israeli forces have encountered an unexpected level of resistance. He vowed that the movement would continue to press for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the return of residents to southern Lebanon, despite ongoing hostilities and civilian casualties.
Qassem said Hezbollah would not return to the situation that existed before March and would continue to respond to Israeli actions. He noted that the group’s continued military operations made it difficult for the Israeli leadership to claim it had restored security in the north of the country.
Israeli strikes hit south Lebanon as violations mount
Israeli forces, for their part, continue to violate the Middle East ceasefire announced on 26 November, Lebanese media reported on Tuesday. Over several hours, they bombed residential neighbourhoods in southern Lebanon.
“Zionist airstrikes on Lebanon continued over the past few hours, striking the areas of Jabal al-Bat and Zabqin in the south of the country,” local media said. “Homes in Bint Jbeil, Shihin, Hanine and Qantara were blown up and destroyed by Zionist forces.” Two Israeli soldiers were wounded in retaliatory attacks.
On March 2, Israel announced an offensive into Lebanon. Later, several rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel, an attack claimed by Hezbollah. In response, Tel Aviv launched massive strikes against the country.
On March 16, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced the start of a ground operation. On April 8, US President Donald Trump declared a Middle East ceasefire, but Israel continued to strike Lebanon. Hezbollah subsequently rescinded its own ceasefire decision and began launching retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory.
