Hezbollah Chief Rejects Lebanon-Israel Framework Deal

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has condemned a June trilateral framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States, describing the deal as a sinful mistake and a surrender of sovereignty. Qassem accused Lebanese authorities of humiliating the national army by allowing it to be exposed to Israeli pressures and bombardment. He specifically criticized the creation of an inquiry committee to oversee army operations and the clearance of Hezbollah infrastructure, which he characterized as Israeli dictations.

The agreement mandates the disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army deploying into pilot zones, such as Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh. While Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has demanded a clear timetable for this withdrawal and a halt to Israeli demolition operations, Israel maintains a hard line. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that forces will remain in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria until Hezbollah is disarmed.

Negotiations in Rome have seen seven rounds of talks focused on the verification committee, though the U.S. State Department noted that recent sessions ended early due to escalations. Qassem argued that these direct talks yielded no gains, claiming that the ceasefire and return of displaced persons resulted instead from Iran-U.S. negotiations in Islamabad. Lebanese authorities report that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,335 people and displaced over one million. The United States is scheduled to sponsor further negotiations in Rome in early September.