Hezbollah rejects 'free rein' for Israel in Lebanon ceasefire

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Sunday rejected any ceasefire granting Israel “free rein” to attack Lebanon, insisting on complete withdrawal from occupied southern territory. Qassem said proposals suggesting Hezbollah halt fire while Israel retains movement represent aggression. “They said a ceasefire means that Hezbollah will not fire, while Israel will remain free to act, to kill wherever it wants, and to advance wherever it wants. This is called a continuation of the aggression, and we will not accept it,” he said in a televised address, adding that “there is no such thing as a ceasefire with freedom of movement for Israel.”

A ceasefire requires “a complete cessation of aggression by air, land, and sea, and a halt to destruction,” he stated. “The continued presence of the Israeli army on Lebanese soil is impossible,” Qassem said, adding that there are no safe zones and the national army must preserve sovereignty.

Israeli stance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday his forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, disregarding the US-Iran understanding on sovereignty. His remarks followed a major escalation Friday and Saturday, when Israeli forces launched over 200 strikes across Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah sites while civilian infrastructure was hit.

Casualties and occupation

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported weekend strikes killed 105 and injured over 150, while Israeli attacks have killed more than 4,100 and injured over 12,000 since March 2. Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades.