Hezbollah leader says Israeli army withdrawal is precondition to end conflict
In short
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group will keep up “resistance” as long as Israeli forces remain in Lebanon, and that an Israeli withdrawal is a precondition for resolving the conflict. He said Israel’s actions in the region have US backing, and offered cooperation on weapons, economic and employment issues — but only within Lebanon’s constitution and laws, rejecting instructions from the US or other outside powers. Lebanese, Israeli and US negotiators announced a framework agreement in Washington on June 26 under which Israeli forces would pull out of parts of southern Lebanon, but Israeli strikes on targets inside Lebanon have continued.
Read the full story 1 min read
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group will continue “resistance” as long as Israeli troops remain inside Lebanon, and that an Israeli withdrawal is a precondition for resolving the conflict. Speaking at an event on October 6 local time, he said an Israeli pullout is a necessary condition for a settlement, and said Israel’s actions in the region have US support, according to the reports. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On Lebanese domestic matters, Qassem said Hezbollah is willing to cooperate on weapons, the economy and employment, but said such cooperation must take place within Lebanon’s constitution and legal framework. He added that the group does not accept instructions from the United States or other outside forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The reports place the remarks against the June 26 framework agreement announced after negotiations between Lebanon, Israel and the United States in Washington. Under that agreement’s outline, Israeli forces would withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army would take over security responsibilities there. Since the agreement was reached, however, Israeli forces have continued to carry out military strikes on targets inside Lebanon, the reports said. [ 2 , 3 ]
The three documents give no reaction from Israel, the United States or the Lebanese government to Qassem’s statements, and do not say whether any Israeli withdrawal under the framework has begun. They also do not specify where the event took place or the exact time of the speech. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set Hezbollah’s public position against the June 26 framework in advance of any movement on Israeli withdrawal, keeping the question of who controls southern Lebanon open. With Israeli strikes reported to continue, the document-based picture is one of a stalled arrangement rather than an implemented one.
Key facts
- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group will continue “resistance” as long as Israeli troops remain inside Lebanon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Qassem said an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is a precondition for resolving the conflict. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said Israel’s actions in the region have US support. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- On Lebanese domestic issues, Qassem said Hezbollah is willing to cooperate on weapons, the economy and employment, but only within Lebanon’s constitution and laws, and said it does not accept instructions from the US or other outside forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Lebanon, Israel and the US completed negotiations in Washington on June 26 and announced a framework agreement under which Israeli forces would withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army would take over security there. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Since the agreement was reached, Israeli forces have continued military strikes on targets inside Lebanon, according to the reports. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Naim Qassem said Hezbollah will continue “resistance” while Israeli troops remain in Lebanon and that an Israeli withdrawal is a precondition for resolving the conflict. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Qassem said Israel’s actions in the region are supported by the United States. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Qassem said Hezbollah is willing to cooperate on weapons, economic and employment issues within Lebanon’s constitutional and legal framework, and does not accept instructions from the US or other external forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A framework agreement was announced after Lebanon, Israel and the US completed negotiations in Washington on June 26, envisaging an Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army taking over security there. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Israel, the United States or the Lebanese government responded to Qassem’s remarks. No document in the set reports any reaction from those parties; the reports contain only Qassem’s statements.
- Where and when exactly Qassem spoke. The documents say only that he spoke at an event on October 6 local time, without giving a location or time.
- Whether any withdrawal under the June 26 framework has begun. The documents state that Israeli strikes continued after the agreement but do not say whether any Israeli forces have left.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Lebanon, Israel and the US complete negotiations in Washington and announce a framework agreement providing for Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army taking over security there. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem says at an event that Israeli forces must leave Lebanon, that the group will keep up “resistance” while they remain, and that Israel’s regional actions have US support. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- CLS publishes its report on Qassem’s remarks. [ 1 ]
- Jiemian publishes its report, adding the June 26 framework agreement and continued Israeli strikes. [ 2 ]
- Yicai publishes a report with the same account and background. [ 3 ]