Iran-backed Hezbollah has rejected the terms of a ceasefire negotiated between Lebanon and Israel, the group's leader Naim Qassem said on Thursday in a statement broadcast on Lebanese television.
“The announced agreement is a roadmap for the destruction of part of the Lebanese people and the subjugation of the rest,” Qassem said in the televised statement.
He also urged Lebanon's leadership to end direct negotiations with Israel, describing the talks as a "farce" and a "humiliation."
Qassem stated that Hezbollah had not promised anyone to renounce "resistance or retaliation," adding that as long as the attacks continued, the group would continue its military operations.
"We reject any link between the existence of the resistance and the end of aggression or the withdrawal of Israel," he said.
Israel has consistently stated that it is attacking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon because the militia has attacked Israeli communities in northern Israel.
At the same time, Qassem said Hezbollah supports a comprehensive ceasefire that must include an end to all Israeli attacks, the withdrawal of Israel from Lebanese territory, the return of displaced persons and reconstruction efforts.
The most recent ceasefire - between Lebanon and Israel - is less than a day old and was announced by the US State Department in Washington on Wednesday evening.
However, in that statement, the parties agreed that the ceasefire is "contingent on a complete cessation" of Hezbollah attacks and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector.
The Lebanese government is not formally involved in the conflict and has limited influence over Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militia has never agreed to disarm voluntarily.
