Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said today he rejects the joint US–Israel–Lebanese government statement on an Israel–Lebanon ceasefire, refusing to comply with its demand that Hezbollah fighters withdraw from southern Lebanon and insisting Israel must fully withdraw from Lebanese territory. Speaking on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV, Qassem called the joint statement a 'false ceasefire' that advances a security agenda and amounts to 'surrender' and 'failure.' He said Hezbollah's objectives are to end Isra

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said today he rejects the joint US–Israel–Lebanese government statement on an Israel–Lebanon ceasefire, refusing to comply with its demand that Hezbollah fighters withdraw from southern Lebanon and insisting Israel must fully withdraw from Lebanese territory. Speaking on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV, Qassem called the joint statement a 'false ceasefire' that advances a security agenda and amounts to 'surrender' and 'failure.' He said Hezbollah's objectives are to end Israel's 'full-scale aggression,' secure a ceasefire and force Israeli withdrawal, and stressed that any ceasefire must be comprehensive — southern Lebanon and other areas are inseparable — and that resistance will continue 'as long as occupation exists.'