Hezbollah rejects US-brokered ceasefire as Israeli strikes continue in Lebanon

Hezbollah has categorically rejected a new US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, dashing hopes for an imminent end to hostilities in the region. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated in a written declaration that the agreement's demand for Hezbollah fighters to withdraw from southern Lebanon under fire would constitute 'surrender, defeat and achieving the enemy's goals.'

The agreement was announced Wednesday evening by the United States following talks in Washington between Lebanese and Israeli officials. The arrangement calls for both sides to implement a conditional ceasefire that would require a 'complete cessation' of attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Crucially, however, Hezbollah was not a party to the negotiations and had given no direct consent to the proposed terms.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israel continued its military operations in Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared Thursday that Israeli forces would maintain their positions in southern Lebanon and continue operations for the time being. Israeli strikes following the ceasefire announcement killed at least four people in Lebanon. Katz emphasized that Israel retained 'freedom of action' and had US backing to strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacked Israeli territory.

The proposed agreement includes the creation of 'pilot zones' in southern Lebanon where Lebanese armed forces would take exclusive control of territory, excluding all non-state actors such as Hezbollah. This arrangement aims to push Hezbollah out of its traditional strongholds and strengthen the Lebanese government's authority in the region.

Hezbollah chief Qassem instead demanded a 'comprehensive' ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. He warned that Israeli settlements in the north would not be safe as long as Lebanese villages remained under bombardment. Qassem also urged the Lebanese government to abandon what he called the 'farce and humiliation of direct talks' with Israel.

The ongoing fighting continued to exact a toll on international peacekeepers. The UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL reported that one peacekeeper was killed and two others wounded when a base was hit the previous night in the south. Belgrade confirmed that the slain peacekeeper was of Serbian nationality. Seven UN peacekeepers have now been killed since the latest wave of fighting began.

The ceasefire agreement also faces criticism within Israel itself. Far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called the ceasefire a 'serious mistake' and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being led astray by his advisers' 'pipe dreams.' This internal criticism highlights political tensions within Israel regarding strategy toward Hezbollah.

Lebanon's president had characterized the agreement as the 'last chance' for a durable end to the fighting, but Hezbollah's rejection and continued Israeli strikes make implementation appear highly uncertain. Hezbollah remains a powerful military and political force in Lebanon, without whose consent sustainable peace seems unlikely.

The current situation illustrates the complexity of the conflict, where regional powers like Iran exert influence through Hezbollah while the United States attempts to serve as mediator. The divergent interests and lack of direct participation by all relevant actors in negotiations significantly complicate prospects for a lasting solution.

Analysts note that previous ceasefire attempts have failed partly due to the exclusion of key stakeholders from negotiations. The latest agreement faces similar challenges, as it was negotiated between state actors while the primary militant organization involved was not consulted. This structural problem in the peace process continues to undermine efforts to achieve stability in the region.

The international community watches closely as the situation develops, with concerns that continued escalation could draw in other regional actors and further destabilize an already volatile Middle East. The failure of this latest diplomatic initiative raises questions about alternative approaches to resolving the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.