Hezbollah chief warns fighters ready to respond to Israel ceasefire breaches

Hezbollah Maintains Combat Readiness

Hezbollah's leader affirmed that resistance forces would retain their positions with weapons at the ready, prepared to retaliate against any transgressions by Israeli forces. Qassem insisted that a genuine truce requires simultaneous cessation of hostilities from both parties, rejecting any unilateral interpretation of the agreement that took effect Thursday midnight across Lebanese and Israeli territories. He emphasized that the movement does not trust Israeli commitments and will therefore preserve full operational capabilities on the ground.

Lebanese Sovereignty Concerns

The secretary-general leveled sharp criticism against American diplomatic involvement, asserting that Washington imposed the ceasefire text upon Beirut without formal governmental approval. He characterized this external dictation as a national affront, suggesting that such interference undermines Lebanon's sovereign decision-making capacity. Qassem simultaneously expressed gratitude toward Tehran for explicitly connecting the Lebanese ceasefire negotiations with broader regional de-escalation efforts and supporting the resistance throughout the conflict.

Five-Point Roadmap for Stability

Outlining conditions for sustainable peace, Qassem presented five non-negotiable requirements: permanent termination of aerial, maritime, and ground assaults throughout Lebanese territory; complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from border regions; immediate release of all detainees; safe return of displaced civilians to their ancestral homes; and comprehensive reconstruction initiatives supported by Arab nations and international bodies. He indicated openness to maximal cooperation with Lebanese state institutions, provided such collaboration respects national unity and independent sovereignty.

Human Cost and Washington's Role

The announcement follows confirmation by US President Donald Trump that American officials are actively restraining Israel from launching further military operations against Lebanese targets. Despite these assurances, Lebanese Health Ministry statistics reveal devastating consequences from operations since early March, documenting 2,294 fatalities and 7,544 injuries among the civilian population. The ten-day truce brokered by Washington aims to halt the bloodshed, though Hezbollah remains vigilant regarding potential violations along the volatile frontier.