Lebanese Political Source Claims Hezbollah Escalates to Undermine Israel-Lebanon Negotiations

A Lebanese political figure from a party opposing Hezbollah told Kan News on Sunday that Hezbollah, guided by Iran, is escalating tensions on the ground to weaken Lebanon's position and sabotage direct negotiations with Israel. The source lamented that Lebanon's leadership does not fully grasp this dynamic. In the past 24 hours, Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued strong condemnations of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, which were retaliatory responses to Hezbollah attacks on Israeli forces near the Ali Taher ridge.

The political source criticized Beirut's leadership for refusing to acknowledge that the root problem is Hezbollah's refusal to disarm, contrary to government resolutions. The source also accused the Lebanese state of negligence in the Ali Taher ridge incident, effectively allowing Hezbollah to control the situation. Additionally, three Lebanese soldiers were seriously injured, and in response to the heightened tensions, the Israel Defense Forces killed a battalion commander from the Radwan Force. These developments have caused delays in the upcoming round of Israel-Lebanon talks.