Hezbollah has rejected the possibility of political negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, declaring on Thursday that any such dialogue would “not serve the national interest.”
The statement, released amid mounting U.S. and Egyptian pressure on Beirut to open talks with Tel Aviv, reaffirmed the Iran-backed group’s stance as tensions rise along the Israel-Lebanon border.
A source close to Hezbollah’s political leadership told AFP that the declaration followed renewed diplomatic efforts to encourage direct negotiations between the two countries, which remain technically at war.
In an open letter to the Lebanese people and government, Hezbollah said, “We reject any political negotiations with the Zionist enemy and reaffirm our legitimate right to defend ourselves against an enemy that imposes war on our country and does not cease its attacks.”
While Lebanon’s military has largely stayed out of hostilities, Hezbollah — the only faction that refused to disarm after the 1975–1990 civil war — has continued to position itself as the country’s defender against Israel.
The group, which receives financial and military backing from Iran, said it remains committed to the ceasefire reached with Israel last year after months of deadly fighting.
However, Israel has warned in recent days that it may intensify its operations in southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to rebuild its military capacity despite the ceasefire.
Last week, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said dialogue between Lebanon and Israel “could be the key to easing tensions,” comments that drew sharp rebuke from Hezbollah.
The Lebanese government, meanwhile, is under growing international pressure to move forward with plans to disarm the group — a key condition of last year’s ceasefire agreement.
President Joseph Aoun has come under fire both domestically and internationally for his cautious approach. After he signaled willingness to explore talks with Israel, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon intensified, prompting outrage in Beirut.
“The Lebanese government’s commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned last week. “We will not allow any threat to the residents of the north.”
Hezbollah accused the government of making a “hasty decision” to pursue disarmament, saying Israel was exploiting the move to expand its military operations.
Under the ceasefire terms, Lebanon’s army must ensure Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the border areas by the end of 2025, followed by broader disarmament across the country.
Despite its losses — including the killing of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah during the 2024 war — Hezbollah maintains significant influence in Lebanon’s politics and has vowed to resist any external pressure to disarm or negotiate with Israel.
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