We will not submit to Israel: Hezbollah rejects calls to surrender weapons
Despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024, Israeli strikes have continued, causing thousands of casualties.PRESSURE MOUNTS ON BEIRUTAccording to news agency Reuters, Washington is urging Beirut to issue a formal cabinet-level commitment to disarm Hezbollah. This, they say, is a prerequisite for the resumption of ceasefire negotiations.Under the existing truce, Hezbollah fighters were supposed to retreat north of the Litani River -- about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border -- leaving the Lebanese Army and United Nations peacekeepers to oversee security in the south.However, the group has not fully complied and has instead shown reluctance to surrender its weapons.In his speech, Qassem accused the US of prioritising Israeli interests over Lebanon's sovereignty."Those who call for disarmament on a domestic, global or Arab level serve the Israeli project," he said. "Israel will not be able to defeat us, and it will not be able to take Lebanon hostage."Qassem also criticised US Special Envoy Tom Barrack, who has been actively mediating the ceasefire process. "The United States wants to remove our missiles and drones because they scare Israel," he added.ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL A PRECONDITIONOne of Hezbollah's key conditions for even considering disarmament is the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from several posts in southern Lebanon — positions Israel continues to hold despite the ceasefire."The imminent danger is the Israeli aggression this aggression must stop," Qassem said. "All political discourse in the country must be directed towards stopping the aggression, not towards handing over weapons to Israel."He insisted that the ceasefire agreement pertains strictly to areas south of the Litani River and that Hezbollah's weapons remain a purely internal matter.A Lebanese official, speaking anonymously to the news agency AFP, confirmed that Beirut is under significant international pressure to address Hezbollah's status in an upcoming cabinet meeting.CABINET MEETING PLANNED TO DISCUSS ARMS MONOPOLYadvertisementLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has called for a cabinet session next week to deliberate over "the extension of state sovereignty over all its territories exclusively by its own forces."According to local media, the meeting will also address aspects of Ambassador Barrack's proposal, which envisions a phased disarmament of Hezbollah over a four-month period in exchange for a complete halt to Israeli airstrikes and military withdrawal.While Hezbollah remains defiant, insisting that discussions on its weapons are contingent on Israel first ceasing its attacks and pulling out of the remaining Lebanese territory."Weapons are an internal Lebanese affair that has nothing to do with the Israeli enemy," Qassem reiterated.- EndsWith inputs from Agencies Must Watch
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"Terror states and organisations kidnap civilians in order to ensure their own survival and interests. Innocent civilians are inhumanely used as tools by terrorists to achieve their goals. In the case of Hamas - to force upon us their conditions: Remaining in power in Gaza." Labelling the situation as a global threat, Sa'ar said, "This is a dangerous phenomenon that could happen tomorrow anywhere. The international community must make it not worthwhile for the terrorists. The world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and center on the world stage." Sa'ar announced his travel plans to New York to push the issue at the United Nations. "This is why I will head to New York tonight: To participate in a special UN Security Council session, which I initiated, taking place tomorrow on the situation of the hostages. I thank the US and Panama for answering our call and helping convene this important and urgent meeting." 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But this is a distortion! There is no symmetry here!" Taking aim at French President Emmanuel Macron's comments, Sa'ar said: "You heard what the President of France said. Hostages 'on both sides.' But there aren't! On one side you have hostages, brutally kidnapped from their homes on Oct. 7th, tortured and held in cruel captivity for almost two years by Hamas. On the other side, evil murderers serving life sentences. The simple truth: There are hostages on one side. And terrorists on the other." He accused countries such as France, the UK, and Canada of rewarding Hamas through diplomatic steps. "The steps taken by countries like France, the UK, Canada and others are a pure prize for terror. A huge gift for Hamas." Citing statements from Hamas, he said: "Here you have a senior member of Hamas clearly stating: These are the fruits of October 7th. These countries must understand the consequences of their actions." Sa'ar claimed that moves to recognise a virtual Palestinian state derailed hostage negotiations. "I warned on this very stage that recognizing a virtual Palestinian State will lead to the assassination of the chances to reach a hostage deal and ceasefire. This is exactly what happened." Calling the diplomatic moves "immoral" and "politically foolish," he said: "These steps have only hardened Hamas' stance during critical days in the negotiations for a hostage deal and ceasefire and rewarded them for their terror. It is a huge mistake. It is morally distorted. It is geopolitically foolish." He closed with a strong message to the global community: 'It is time for these countries to do some soul-searching. If you can't help - for God sake - don't continue to cause damage to all the people living in our region!'
