The head of Iran-backed Hezbollah, Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem, vowed that his movement would continue its campaign against Israel on Friday, ruling out any return to previous conditions as fighting rages on.
“The resistance will continue until the very end, and we will not accept a return to the previous situation,” Qassem said in letter read out on the movement’s outlet, Al Manar Television.
He also called on Lebanese officials to “stop making free concessions,” as discussions continue over potential negotiations and ceasefire arrangements.
Qassem said Israel had failed, despite more than 40 days of military operations, to prevent rockets, shells and drones from reaching its settlements. He added that the group’s fighters had demonstrated flexibility, strong defensive capabilities and what he described as “legendary courage.”
He further praised the resilience of the Lebanese population, saying those displaced by the fighting have shown “examples of pride and high morale” amid the ongoing conflict.
It was confirmed on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon will hold direct negotiations next week. Israeli sources said the talks will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and establishment of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.
The talks come amid a fragile truce in the fighting between Israel and the US, and Iran. The two-week pause, brokered by Pakistan, in the conflict remains under strain due to the heavy Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
While Tehran and Islamabad argue that the agreed ceasefire also applies to Lebanon, Israel insists on continuing to strike Hezbollah “with full force,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier on Friday.
The US and Israel do not consider Lebanon to be covered by the ceasefire and the Israeli air force launched a devastating wave of airstrikes on Beirut and other parts of Lebanon hours after the deal was sealed.
Supporter of pro-Iranian Hezbollah hold pictures of assassinated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans in front of the office of the Lebanese Prime Minister in Beirut, during a protest against Lebanes Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and to support Hezbollah and Iran in their conflict with Israel. Marwan Naamani/dpa
Supporter of pro-Iranian Hezbollah hold pictures of assassinated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans in front of the office of the Lebanese Prime Minister in Beirut, during a protest against Lebanes Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and to support Hezbollah and Iran in their conflict with Israel. Marwan Naamani/dpa