Hezbollah Chief: Lebanon-Israel Deal 'Humiliates' Nation

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has accused the Lebanese government of humiliating the nation and its army by implementing a framework deal with Israel. The deal, agreed in June, involves the disarmament of the Iran-backed terror group and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south.

The Lebanese government has stated that the Israeli operation has killed more than 4,300 people, without differentiating between combatants and civilians. Despite this, Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected direct talks and refuses to surrender its weapons.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with United States ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa and General Joseph Clearfield to discuss the military track of the negotiation framework with Israel. Salam stressed the need for Israel to stop destruction operations, expand the scope of pilot areas, and set a clear timetable for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

There are currently two pilot zones where the Lebanese army has been deployed, with the ultimate goal being a complete Israeli pullout from southern Lebanon. US Ambassador Issa said Israeli attacks would stop only once Hezbollah disarms.

Naim Qassem challenged officials to name a single achievement from the seven rounds of negotiations, accusing Lebanese officials of putting the army under undue pressure by implementing a non-functional agreement. He demanded to know what the Lebanese government had to show for its negotiations with Israel.

## Why it matters The deal has significant implications for the region, with Lebanon seeking to end hostilities with Israel and establish a clear timetable for withdrawal. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure, with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri citing continued village demolitions, bulldozed farmland, and damage to heritage sites. The international community is watching the developments closely, with the US playing a key role in facilitating negotiations.

## What happens next The next round of negotiations is expected to continue, although no date has been set. The US has described the talks as positive, and Lebanon is pushing for a clear timetable for Israeli withdrawal. However, with Hezbollah refusing to disarm and Israel insisting that attacks will stop only once the group disarms, a resolution to the conflict remains uncertain.