Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem tries to stem momentum against Israel and raises the bar

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has hardened his opposition to negotiations with Israel and to the disarmament of the organization, in a speech marking the 20th anniversary of the Second Lebanon War. He called on Lebanon to acknowledge the failure of the political track and return to the people. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam attacked Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into wars. A security source said Washington made clear it could not prevent Israeli action but asked that it be limited.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has hardened his opposition to negotiations with Israel and to the disarmament of the organization, in a speech marking the 20th anniversary of the Second Lebanon War. Qassem called on the Lebanese authorities to retract the "mistake of negotiations," acknowledge the failure of the track, and return to the Lebanese people. He accused the Lebanese government of relinquishing its rights, claiming that the framework agreement deprived the authorities of the right to sue Israel in courts. According to him, signing the agreement gives Israel everything it wants and gives up sovereignty. Qassem stressed that Hezbollah continues its choices, and whoever bets on surrender is betting on an illusion. Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam attacked Hezbollah, saying that those who dragged Lebanon into futile war adventures provided Israel with excuses to attack, trample sovereignty, destroy cities and villages, kill, and displace hundreds of thousands. The article quotes a security source saying Washington made clear to Lebanon that it could not prevent Israel from acting, but asked that it be limited and precise. The source assessed that Israel sees the occupation of the ridge as a military achievement it does not intend to give up.