Hezbollah Demands Israel Leave Lebanon Unconditionally as US Talks Continue
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has demanded that Israel withdraw from Lebanon “unconditionally”, rejecting any deal that gives Israel political or security gains as US-mediated negotiations between Lebanon and Israel continue.
Qassem said Hezbollah would accept “no normalisation” with Israel and “no gains for Israel”, insisting that Israeli forces must leave Lebanese territory before any wider political arrangement can move forward.
The remarks come as Washington continues efforts to broker understandings between Lebanon and Israel over security arrangements in southern Lebanon. Reuters reported that both Israeli and Lebanese officials denied a US claim that Israel had withdrawn from part of southern Lebanon, underscoring the fragility of the talks.
Israel has said any future withdrawal depends on Hezbollah’s disarmament and demilitarisation of the area, while Lebanon is pushing for a full roadmap for Israeli withdrawal.
Why It Matters
The Lebanon track may become a major obstacle to wider regional diplomacy. Hezbollah’s rejection of normalisation and Israel’s refusal to withdraw without security guarantees could keep the border conflict alive despite US mediation.