Hezbollah’s leader on Saturday criticized a framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon the previous day to conclude months of conflict between the militant group and Israel, expressing concerns regarding its effectiveness.
Lebanon and Israel finalized the deal in Washington on Friday without Hezbollah's participation. The agreement ties Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon to the disarmament of the Iran-backed militant group, a condition that Hezbollah rejects.
Several prior ceasefire agreements negotiated by Lebanon with Israel since the start of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war have not been implemented on the ground.
In a statement released Saturday, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem asserted that his group will continue fighting until Israel is compelled to leave Lebanon. Following the announcement of the agreement, supporters of the group protested in Beirut's streets.
Despite the accord, the Lebanese state news agency reported an Israeli drone strike near Nabatiyeh in the southern city.
The same report indicated that the Israeli military released three Lebanese and three Syrian workers who had been detained near Ain Arab village in the south on Friday.
The deal stipulates Israel must withdraw, contingent upon Hezbollah disarming.
Details of the agreement, released by the U.S. State Department Saturday, indicate that Lebanon and Israel aim to eventually end the state of war between them, which began with Israel's creation in 1948.
The agreement mandates Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon provided Hezbollah disarms.
It calls for an initial withdrawal by Israel from two small areas designated as pilot zones; the locations of these two initial zones were not specified. The Lebanese army will gradually assume full security responsibility over those areas. Furthermore, the two nations will agree on future pilot zones for Israel’s withdrawal in subsequent discussions, according to the agreement.
The deal includes a security annex detailing the deployment of the Lebanese army and redeployments of Israeli troops; this annex was not made public.
As part of the accord, Israel emphasizes that Hezbollah's disarmament across Lebanon, coupled with additional security measures agreed upon by both countries, will eliminate any future necessity for military action or presence by the Israeli army in Lebanon.
The discussions between Israel and Lebanon were separate from an interim deal signed earlier this month by leaders of the U.S. and Iran to end fighting in the Islamic Republic.
Hezbollah's leader rejects the agreement
Kassem stated Saturday that, from Hezbollah’s perspective, the deal is non-existent.
He labeled the agreement a "humiliation," adding that linking Israel’s withdrawal to Hezbollah’s disarmament constitutes a "very dangerous suggestion."
The deal prompted an official from the group, Hassan Fadlallah, to issue a warning that it could lead to civil war because Hezbollah will not relinquish its weapons and will resist any measures implemented by the Lebanese army.
Judge Ahmed Rami al-Hajj, Lebanon's top public prosecutor, instructed the heads of the country’s security agencies on Saturday to implement measures to prevent riots.
Some Israelis and Lebanese express doubt about the deal's longevity
The agreement states that both Lebanon and Israel recognize that achieving long-term stability and peace requires restoring security in southern Lebanon through the deployment of the Lebanese army, ensuring the safe return of its civilian population, and guaranteeing the security of Israel’s northern communities.
Israeli citizen Ronit Belson stated while visiting Metula along the border with Lebanon, "Personally, I don’t think it will be lasting because the Lebanese military cannot really stand a chance against Hezbollah."
In Lebanon, opinions were divided; Rabie Sammour, a resident of Sidon in the south, commented, “People just want to rest for good. I support the Lebanese authorities in the decision” taken.
Another Sidon resident, Khaled Ghannoum, asserted that the deal "legitimized Israel’s occupation."
In what appears to be a reference to Iran, which has transferred billions of dollars in cash to Hezbollah over the last four decades, the deal commits Lebanon and the United States to preventing funds from reaching any entity, organization, or individual affiliated with non-state armed groups and to taking available legal measures to proscribe the activity of such an entity, organization, or individual.
The agreement further stipulates that the Lebanese government explicitly commits to preventing reconstruction funds from flowing to non-state armed groups and related entities.
Mor reported from Metula, Israel. Associated Press journalist Ibrahim Hazboun contributed to this report from Jerusalem.