Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has called on Lebanon to cancel a planned diplomatic meeting with Israel in Washington, reiterating the group’s rejection of any direct negotiations with its long-time adversary.
In a televised address on Monday, Qassem said his group firmly opposes talks with what he described as the “Israeli entity,” and urged Lebanese authorities to take what he called a “historic and courageous stance” by cancelling the scheduled meeting.
The discussions in Washington are expected to involve Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States, who were set to meet on Tuesday to explore the possibility of direct negotiations between the two countries.
Lebanese officials have maintained that Beirut’s priority is securing a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Israel. However, Israel has rejected that approach, instead signalling interest in broader formal peace talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that any agreement must include the disarmament of Hezbollah and lead to a long-term peace arrangement.
Qassem, however, dismissed the proposed negotiations as “futile,” arguing that any diplomatic process must have full Lebanese consensus.
Tensions remain high as cross-border clashes continue, with both sides reporting military activity along the southern frontier. Qassem warned that northern Israeli areas would remain under threat even if Israeli forces entered Lebanese territory.
He also accused Lebanese authorities of undermining Hezbollah by supporting moves he claims are aimed at restricting the group’s military role, while asserting that the Lebanese army is not in a position to confront Hezbollah directly.
The remarks come amid ongoing regional instability, with international concern mounting over the widening conflict and its humanitarian impact in Lebanon.
