The first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in 33 years have stalled after Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group rejects any direct negotiations with Israel, calling the proposed negotiations dangerous and harmful to the country’s stability.
In a statement aired Monday, April 27, on the group’s Al-Manar television station, Qassem said Hezbollah “categorically rejects” any direct negotiations with Israel and warned Lebanon’s leaders to abandon the plan.
He described the talks as a very big mistake that would drag Lebanon into deeper political and security trouble.
Qassem’s remarks come as the Lebanese government prepares for US-backed direct negotiations with Israel, following meetings between Lebanese and Israeli representatives in Washington earlier this month.
Hezbollah Says Talks Equal Surrender
In his statement, Qassem accused Lebanon’s leadership of making dangerous concessions by agreeing to direct discussions with Israel.
He said such talks would not protect Lebanese interests and would only weaken the country’s position.
“These direct negotiations and their outcomes are as if they do not exist for us, and they do not concern us in the slightest,” Qassem said.
He added that Hezbollah would continue what it calls “defensive resistance” to protect Lebanon and its people.
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The Hezbollah leader also criticized Lebanese authorities for what he described as giving up national rights and land while turning against their own citizens.
He warned that any government that follows this path risks losing legitimacy.
Qassem was clear that Hezbollah would not disarm under any circumstances.
He insisted the group’s weapons are necessary to defend Lebanon and accused Israel of continuing to occupy Lebanese territory.
“We will not give up our weapons. The Israeli enemy will not remain on a single inch of our occupied land,” said the Hezbollah leader.
Fragile Ceasefire Under Strain
The rejection of talks comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on April 17, following weeks of intense fighting along the Lebanon–Israel border.
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Lebanese officials say the planned negotiations aim to stop the war permanently, secure Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and allow displaced civilians to return to their homes.
More than a million people were forced to flee during the latest fighting, according to official figures from the Lebanese and Israeli governments.
However, tensions remain high as Lebanese authorities have reported continued Israeli airstrikes in southern areas since the ceasefire began, with dozens of people killed.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of violating the truce, while Hezbollah says its actions are a response to Israeli attacks.
Israel’s military has also warned that it will continue to strike targets it considers threats to its security.
Israeli leaders argue that Hezbollah’s military presence near the border undermines any chance of lasting peace.
Qassem dismissed the idea that direct negotiations could bring stability. He claimed Israel’s continued military operations prove that talks offer Lebanon no protection on the ground.
He also accused the United States and other foreign powers of pushing Lebanon into negotiations that serve Israeli interests rather than Lebanese ones.
Despite Hezbollah’s rejection, the Lebanese government has maintained that dialogue remains the best option to end hostilities.
Officials say they want to explore diplomatic channels to prevent another full-scale war in the south.
For now, Hezbollah’s strong stance adds another layer of uncertainty to an already delicate situation.
With fighting only recently halted and positions hardening on both sides, the path to lasting calm along the Lebanon–Israel border remains unclear.
