4 days ago
Hezbollah Chief Rejects Israel-Lebanon Framework, Refuses to Surrender
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said his group will not accept a new agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
The agreement would require Hezbollah to give up its weapons and infrastructure in parts of southern Lebanon.
It would also gradually move Israeli forces out of Lebanon and send the Lebanese army into the area.
Qassem called the plan unfair, unlawful, and harmful to Lebanon’s independence.
He also rejected small trial areas, called pilot zones, and a system to check whether the plan is followed.
Israel and Lebanon have been holding talks supported by the United States.
Fighting has decreased, but Lebanon says Israeli attacks are still happening in the south.
Qassem said Hezbollah would not surrender.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem again rejected the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement as illegitimate and humiliating.
The agreement calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament, an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and Lebanese army deployment.
Qassem opposed proposed pilot zones and any verification system for implementing the agreement.
Lebanese authorities say more than 4,300 people have been killed since the latest war erupted.
Despite reduced violence, Lebanon continues to report Israeli strikes, shelling, and demolitions in southern areas.
- Who
- Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, Hezbollah, Israel, Lebanon, and the Lebanese army are involved.
- What
- Qassem rejected the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement and opposed Hezbollah’s disarmament, pilot zones, and proposed verification system.
- Where
- The statement was broadcast on Al-Manar television, while the continuing violence and proposed pilot zones concern southern Lebanon.
- When
- Qassem made the comments on Friday, nearly six months after the war began; further talks had been planned for early September.
- Why
- Qassem said the agreement was illegitimate, unlawful, humiliating, destructive to Lebanese sovereignty, and amounted to surrender.
Hezbollah’s Position
Israel-Lebanon Framework
Agreement’s legitimacy
Hezbollah’s Position
Naim Qassem called the framework illegitimate, unlawful, humiliating, destructive to Lebanese sovereignty, and a form of surrender.
Israel-Lebanon Framework
The framework was agreed by Israel and Lebanon during United States-sponsored talks and is intended to organize security measures in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s weapons and infrastructure
Hezbollah’s Position
Hezbollah rejected the agreement’s disarmament requirements and said it would not surrender.
Israel-Lebanon Framework
The framework calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament and for the Lebanese army to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in designated pilot zones.
Implementation process
Hezbollah’s Position
Qassem rejected pilot zones and any proposed verification system.
Israel-Lebanon Framework
A shortlist of countries had reportedly been identified to oversee implementation of the pilot-zone process.
Key facts
- Hezbollah leader
- Naim Qassem
- Agreement provisions
- Disarmament of Hezbollah, gradual Israeli withdrawal, and Lebanese army deployment in southern Lebanon
- Rejected measures
- Pilot zones and a proposed verification system
- Reported death toll
- More than 4,300 people, according to Lebanese authorities
- Security zone
- Israeli forces are operating in a self-declared zone extending about 10 kilometers inside Lebanon
- Talks
- Israel and Lebanon began United States-sponsored direct talks; no date has been announced for the next round
- Recent violence
- Lebanon reported Israeli airstrikes, artillery shelling, and demolitions in southern villages and towns
Quotes
Naim Qassem
Hezbollah chief who delivered a televised address on the Israel-Lebanon agreement
“The framework agreement is illegitimate, unlawful, humiliating, destructive to Lebanese sovereignty.”
NDTV
“We are against the framework agreement and call for its downfall.”
NDTV
Sources
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