- Naim Qassem Says Israel’s Election Outcome Will Not Alter Hezbollah’s Position as Tensions Persist Over Ceasefire Framework
BEIRUT: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Wednesday that the Lebanese armed movement would continue its resistance against Israel regardless of the outcome of the Israeli election, insisting that an end to the occupation of Lebanese territory was essential to resolving the conflict.
In a written statement, Qassem said Hezbollah was unconcerned about which political bloc governed Israel, stressing that the country must withdraw from Lebanese territory and end its military actions against Lebanon.
“We do not concern ourselves with who governs Israel, but let it be perfectly clear that it cannot continue its occupation and must leave our land,” Qassem said.
He added that Hezbollah would continue to oppose what it describes as Israeli aggression and rejected calls for the group to disarm while Israeli forces remained in occupied territory.
Netanyahu’s Bloc Leads but Falls Short of a Majority
The remarks came as preliminary Israeli election results showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc holding a narrow lead over the main opposition alliance, with approximately 85 percent of ballots counted.
However, the bloc had yet to secure a parliamentary majority, leaving the final political balance uncertain.
Qassem’s statement signalled that Hezbollah did not expect a change in Israel’s political leadership, by itself, to alter the movement’s position on the conflict or its demands regarding Israeli military presence in Lebanon.
Hezbollah Weakened by Two Wars Since 2023
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed political and armed movement that once wielded considerable influence over Lebanon’s political landscape, has been weakened by two wars with Israel since 2023.
The prolonged confrontation has intensified security concerns along the Israel-Lebanon border and increased pressure on Lebanese authorities to establish lasting security arrangements and restore state control over areas affected by the conflict.
Despite its losses, Hezbollah continues to reject unilateral disarmament, arguing that its weapons remain necessary as long as Israeli occupation and military operations persist.
Disarmament and Israeli Withdrawal Remain Key Disputes
In June, Lebanese and Israeli authorities signed a framework agreement outlining measures that include Hezbollah’s disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the affected areas.
However, implementation remains contentious. Israel continues to conduct intermittent strikes and demolitions in and around territory under its control, while Hezbollah opposes government efforts to disarm the movement under the current security conditions.
The disagreement highlights the central challenge facing efforts to stabilise southern Lebanon: reconciling Israel’s security demands with Lebanon’s insistence on territorial sovereignty and an end to Israeli military operations.
Uncertain Path Towards Lasting Stability
Qassem’s latest remarks underscore the continuing divide over how the conflict should be resolved and whether disarmament can proceed before a full Israeli withdrawal.
With Israeli military activity continuing and Hezbollah resisting the Lebanese government’s disarmament plans, the implementation of the framework agreement remains a major test for regional diplomacy and Lebanon’s efforts to restore long-term security.
The future of the arrangement will depend on progress towards withdrawal, the role of the Lebanese army and whether both sides can agree on security guarantees that prevent renewed hostilities.
BY: The Times Union – AFP
