Hezbollah rejects Israel, Lebanon ceasefire
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The news: Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem has rejected a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and the Lebanese government, following negotiations in Washington.
What they said: “What we are concerned about is an end to the aggression, ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal,” Kassem said on Thursday.
“We did not make any commitment to any party to stop resisting as long as there is occupation,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said forces “will, for the time being, continue its fire and operations on the ground.”
The context: The ceasefire announced on Wednesday was contingent on Hezbollah halting attacks. Iran-backed Hezbollah was not a party to the talks.
Several ceasefires have been declared from Washington since April as the war becomes a sticking point in resolving conflict in the region and between the US and Iran.
Iran has demanded any prolonged truce must extend to Lebanon, as negotiators try to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas transit point, whose closure is hampering the global economy.
