Hezbollah dismisses calls for Lebanon-Israel dialogue, reaffirms right to self-defence

Hezbollah on Thursday condemned any potential political negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, asserting its right to defend itself.

According to AFP, citing a source close to the group’s political leadership, the statement came in response to recent US and Egyptian efforts to encourage Lebanon’s leaders to pursue direct talks with Israel.

While Lebanon and Israel remain technically at war, recent military confrontations with Israel have been carried out exclusively by Hezbollah rather than the Lebanese armed forces.

On Thursday, an Israeli strike killed one person, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military said the operation targeted a Hezbollah construction team.

Currently, the only diplomatic engagement between the two countries occurs through a ceasefire monitoring mechanism that includes the United States, France, and the United Nations.

More from World

Israel threatens to ramp up attacks against Hezbollah as IDF bombards Lebanon despite ceasefire 'Trump reckless but can help eliminate nuclear weapons': Nobel-winning Ican head to Firstpost

The body meets regularly at the UN force headquarters in southern Lebanon, but Lebanese and Israeli officials do not engage in direct communication.

Disarmament drive

Hezbollah, the only Lebanese movement to refuse disarmament after the 1975-1990 civil war, reaffirmed its right to defend the country and rejected any political negotiations with Israel.

In an open letter to the Lebanese people and leaders, the Iran-backed group said such talks would “not serve the national interest.”

Hezbollah cited its mandate to defend Lebanon against an enemy that “imposes war” and continues attacks.

The group said it remains committed to last year’s ceasefire with Israel, following months of fighting that nearly escalated into full-scale war.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

Indonesia: Over 50 injured in explosion at mosque inside Jakarta school during friday prayers

What can Elon Musk do with $1 trillion? He can eliminate world hunger, or buy 2,000 superyachts

Israel, however, has maintained troops in five southern Lebanese zones and continues occasional strikes, warning last week of potential intensified operations against Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the group of rearming.

US envoy Tom Barrack suggested dialogue with Israel could ease tensions, while the Lebanese government is set to meet Thursday to review progress on efforts to disarm Hezbollah — a move opposed by the group and its allies despite US pressure.

Israel steps up strikes

Israel has intensified strikes on Lebanon in recent weeks, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah positions.

President Joseph Aoun criticised the escalation after expressing openness to negotiations with Israel.

A Lebanese official told AFP on Thursday that Israel has not responded “positively nor negatively” to the offer.

The Lebanese government has ordered the army to develop a plan to disarm Hezbollah. Last week, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Aoun of “dragging his feet.”

He added, “The Lebanese government’s commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented. Maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify – we will not allow any threat to the residents of the north.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also accused Hezbollah of attempting to rearm, after suffering heavy losses in its last war. In September 2024, Israel killed the group’s longtime chief, Hassan Nasrallah, along with numerous senior leaders.

Under the ceasefire, the Lebanese army is tasked with disarming Hezbollah in the south by year-end before extending the effort nationwide. Hezbollah has criticised the government’s “hasty decision,” claiming Israel is exploiting the push.

With inputs from agencies