Hezbollah rejects direct Lebanon-Israel talks, outlines five-point solution

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem renewed Monday his "categorical rejection" of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, outlining five points for solving the current conflict. Qassem said in a statement that his group "categorically rejects" direct negotiations with Israel, reiterating that Hezbollah will continue its "defensive resistance" and will not relinquish its weapons.

Criticism of Washington talks

He criticized holding two rounds of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel for the first time in 43 years, which took place in Washington days ago under US sponsorship. "In this atmosphere of sacrifice and dignity and the defeat of the enemy, the (Lebanese) authority rushed into a humiliating and unnecessary free concession, whose only justification is submission," Qassem claimed.

Five-point solution

"The entry point and solution is to achieve five points before anything else," he argued. He listed these points as "stopping the aggression on land, sea and air, Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories, the release of detainees, the return of residents to all their villages and towns, and reconstruction."

Call to Lebanese authorities

"This authority cannot continue while it gives up Lebanon's rights, concedes land and confronts its resistant people," Qassem said. He called on Lebanese authorities to "return to their people to unite them, so they are not an authority of a faction but of the people, based on the consensus that formed the Taif Accords."

Conflict context

More than 2,500 people have been killed and over 1.6 million displaced by Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanese official figures. A 10-day ceasefire was declared on April 17, extended by three weeks on Thursday. Hezbollah has carried out drone attacks targeting Israeli soldiers, citing Israel's repeated violations of the truce.