As direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon begin this week, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared that the terror group would not surrender and demanded an end to the current talks. According to The Jerusalem Post, Qassem warned that Lebanon would never be allowed to return to the status quo that existed before March 2. He also voiced support for Hezbollah’s backers in Iran.
Claiming that Israel and the US seek to annex Lebanon as part of “Greater Israel,” Qassem added that “no matter how great the sacrifices, they are less than the cost of surrender.”
Qassem also claimed that the current direct negotiations that led to the ceasefire beginning on April 16 and which are scheduled to continue this week “only benefit Israel and involve free concessions from the Lebanese government.” He called for indirect negotiations “where the power is in the hands of the Lebanese negotiator” instead.
Expressing gratitude to Iran, Qassem stated that the US-Iran agreement, which included a ceasefire in Lebanon, was one of the strongest cards Hezbollah had in stopping the Israeli aggression.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for an end to the fighting in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah forces continue to threaten northern Israeli communities. His appeal comes amid increased drone and rocket exchanges across the border. Israel’s primary goal in the negotiations is the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Today, Hezbollah fired a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jet. Although the IDF described the missile as primitive and confirmed that it missed the aircraft, the incident is significant because Israeli jets had previously operated in the area without threat. Hezbollah may now possess a potential means of targeting them. The IAF is expected to adjust future operations accordingly if the incident proves not to be isolated.
The Fellowship’s efforts to help Israel’s northern communities living under Hezbollah’s threat would not be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Through every effort, we pray for the protection of these vulnerable communities and for the day when shalom, peace will finally prevail.
