Hezbollah hints at Israel withdrawing from Lebanon

Beirut: Hezbollah has refused to disarm and comply with the agreement north of the Litani River. The resistance organization, threatening Israel, said it should unconditionally withdraw from Lebanon, stating that Israel must completely and unconditionally withdraw from Lebanon, only then will the issue of weapons be discussed. Hezbollah leader Naim Qasim said in a statement that Israel has come to Lebanon with the intention of occupation, our resistance has entered a new phase, adding that the Lebanese government cannot turn half of the Lebanese people against it. Naim Qasim, calling the MOU a failure for the US and Israel, said that patience was our strategy, not weakness.

It is clear that Israel and Lebanon have signed a framework agreement in Washington under US mediation, following negotiations. In this regard, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that under the agreement, Israel will be able to return to its borders after eliminating the threats to its citizens, and a tripartite military liaison group will be established for Lebanon with US facilitation. He stated that the agreement provides a mechanism for disarming Hezbollah and dismantling its infrastructure. On the other hand, the Lebanese Prime Minister said that the purpose of the framework agreement is to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories and establish state authority throughout the country.

In Washington, under US mediation, Israel, Lebanon, and the US have signed a framework agreement, which is being seen as an initial step towards reducing tensions in the region. According to a report by Al Jazeera, under the agreement, the Lebanese army will gradually restore its structure and security throughout the country, and non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah, will be disarmed. Only after the verification of this process will the Israeli army withdraw from Lebanese territories in phases. The report states that two initial areas in southern Lebanon have been designated as pilot zones, where the Lebanese army will take full security control, reconstruction of affected areas will begin, and the return of displaced citizens will be made possible.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as the "first step of initiation", saying that the purpose of the agreement is to restore Lebanon's sovereignty, eliminate Hezbollah's military capability, and ensure Israel's border security. On the other hand, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that the purpose of the agreement is the withdrawal of the Israeli army from all Lebanese territories; however, according to the current text, the withdrawal is conditional on Hezbollah's disarmament. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has clarified that the Israeli army will not completely withdraw from Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and the threat to Israel is eliminated.

According to Al Jazeera's report, Hezbollah did not participate in the agreement. The organization's stance is that Israel should leave Lebanon without any conditions, and it has also rejected the establishment of any kind of relations with Israel. The report states that although this agreement is an attempt to reduce tensions, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain due to Israeli military operations, occupation of southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah's tough stance.