The Secretary General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, once again rejected the possibility of direct negotiations with Israel, arguing that they would involve a political concession that would benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
In his statement, he insisted that he only accepts indirect channels and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire on multiple occasions, a claim not independently verified.
From an Israeli perspective, these statements seek to divert attention from Hezbollah's ongoing military activity in southern Lebanon, a region that, according to Israel, the group has turned into a platform for attacks under the backing of Iran. Both Israel and the United States consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization that destabilizes
the region.
In parallel, the Israel Defense Forces reported a series of targeted attacks against the group's infrastructure over the weekend, in response to repeated ceasefire violations. The Israeli military also issued warnings to civilians in specific areas, urging them to evacuate before operations, in an effort
to minimize collateral damage. The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the President of the United States, Donald Trump
Israeli forces also noted that they eliminated ten armed Hezbollah fighters in recent incidents, after identifying them operating close to Israeli troops. In another operation, the elite unit 888, known as “Ghost”, dismantled a launch position ready to be used and destroyed
weapons depots.
During the night of Monday, the Israeli Air Force again attacked Hezbollah targets after the launch of an anti-tank missile against Israeli soldiers. No injuries were reported, and the military claimed to have quickly neutralized the threat
.
Meanwhile, Lebanese political leaders allied with Hezbollah reiterated that there will be no negotiations without a total cessation of hostilities. However, Israel and the United States maintain that any diplomatic process requires first an end to armed provocations and the withdrawal of the group's military infrastructure at the border
.
The exchange of accusations reflects a fragile situation, where Israel insists on its right to defend its population, with the support of Washington, against persistent threats on its northern border.
