Hezbollah Deputy Chief Slams Lebanon's Government Over Border Deal

Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, on Sunday fiercely criticized the Lebanese government's handling of ongoing negotiations with Israel, particularly concerning a framework agreement. Qassem stated that Lebanon is "not ready to surrender" and that the proposed agreement represents "a shameful concession of all the cards Lebanon could hold." He accused the Beirut government of succumbing to external pressure, suggesting that efforts are being made to force Lebanon into actions Israel failed to achieve over two years. Qassem specifically claimed that the Lebanese army is being pressured to disarm Hezbollah for Israel's security, asserting that Lebanon has relinquished its power centers and is aiding an Israeli-American agenda instead of opposing it.

Qassem also addressed the ongoing conflict, noting that Hezbollah fighters held a position for three months but emphasized that maintaining territory is not the primary objective. He explained that the group's actions are based on cost-benefit analyses and that silence on certain details is strategic to avoid providing advantages to the enemy. He stressed that "Lebanon without resistance will not exist" and accused Israel of seeking to control all of Lebanon and instigate a civil war, dragging the country into alignment with the United States.

He called for a shift in diplomatic engagement, urging an end to concessions and a move towards indirect negotiations. Qassem suggested that any Israeli withdrawal or move beneficial to Lebanon would be a result of resistance efforts, not the framework agreement. The article also briefly references past Israeli strikes, including the September 2024 airstrike on Hezbollah's Beirut headquarters, which led to the deaths of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, his deputy Ali Karaki, and other commanders. It also mentions the subsequent killing of Hisham Safi al-Din, a cousin of Nasrallah and a senior Hezbollah official, along with other intelligence figures.