Hezbollah Rejects US-Mediated Ceasefire Deal with Israel

Beirut. Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has strongly rejected the new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon mediated by the United States. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem claimed in a statement that the agreement is futile and insulting to Lebanon.

He said that a large part of the country would also reject it. Recently, a weak ceasefire was agreed to be re-implemented between Israel and Lebanon.

According to the agreement, a security zone will be established within Lebanon, where Hezbollah fighters will be prohibited from entering. It was also stipulated that Hezbollah must stop attacking Israel. However, Hezbollah commented that the agreement is tantamount to surrender, stating that they are not part of the talks.

US President Donald Trump claimed that there has been dialogue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hezbollah side, and progress is being made towards regional peace. He expressed hope that the long-standing tension in Lebanon could end.

Trump said that peace needs to be established, as Lebanon has been struggling for years. Local residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, where Hezbollah has a strong influence, have also expressed doubts about the agreement.

Stating that a one-sided ceasefire is not possible, local traders called it a situation of pressure and surrender, not peace. They said that Israeli attacks have continued in recent days.

According to the agreement mediated by the United States, an area of about 30 kilometers from the Lebanon-Israel border will be vacated. Hezbollah fighters will be removed from this area, and the Lebanese army will take full control there.

Non-state armed groups will be prohibited from entering. However, a clear map or implementation method for where these areas will be has not been made public.