Hezbollah Rejects Any Form of Israeli Military Presence in Lebanon

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Sunday that the Israeli military presence in Lebanese territory is unacceptable and stressed that the Lebanese army is the sole authority authorised to protect national sovereignty. “There is no place for security zones or Israeli military positions on Lebanese territory,” Qassem said in a televised speech on local television station Al-Manar. He accused Israel of seeking to redefine the ceasefire in effect since 27 November 2024 by maintaining freedom for military action in Lebanese territory, while demanding full compliance from Hezbollah. According to Qassem, any future understanding must be based on a complete halt to Israeli attacks, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the deployment of the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River. Hezbollah, he said, remains committed to any comprehensive ceasefire but will not accept continued “Israeli violations”. Qassem also said the United States could force Israel to stop its attacks if it wished to do so. He stated that US support has enabled Israel to continue its military operations. Earlier the same day, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would not withdraw from the “security zone” it controls in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel coming into effect on Friday.