Hezbollah Secretary Claims Iran Triumphed as Israel Faces Accelerated Withdrawal

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared on Tuesday that the memorandum of understanding will speed up the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. He credited the steadfast resistance for preventing Israel from achieving its goals and proclaimed that Iran emerged victorious in the conflict, stating there is no longer any question about who won. Qassem condemned the systematic destruction in southern Lebanese villages and towns, attributing all Israeli aggression to American supervision, management, and consent. He also criticized the direct negotiations between Jerusalem and Beirut, describing them as bringing Lebanon only disgrace, humiliation, disappointment, and ongoing concessions. While acknowledging these talks as a political achievement for Israel, Qassem assured the Lebanese people that as long as the resistance exists, Israel will not gain ground on the ground.

Qassem urged Lebanese unity around national sovereignty and the rejection of occupation, emphasizing the importance of positive and cooperative relations between Lebanon and Syria. He suggested there is no obstacle to a public meeting between Hezbollah and the Syrian leadership, highlighting the mutual support between the two countries.

Meanwhile, official Lebanese sources told the Qatari newspaper Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that the Lebanese delegation in Rome, led by former ambassador Simon Karam, has expanded to include military personnel, diplomats, professionals, border demarcation experts, and lawyers. This broad representation aims to prepare comprehensively for negotiations, especially given Israel's previous attempts to impose obstacles. Lebanon places its hopes on the United States to exert pressure on Israel for further withdrawals from southern Lebanon. The demand is for gradual and swift Israeli pullbacks amid concerns Israel might delay its withdrawal. Regarding the supervision of the testing zones, no agreement has yet been reached, but several countries, including Italy, have offered assistance, which Lebanon welcomes.