"Humiliation and Shame".. Hezbollah Attacks the Framework Agreement and Calls on the Authority to Retreat

SadaNews - Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, launched a fierce attack on the framework agreement announced between the Lebanese authorities and Israel, describing it as a "terrible fall" and a "relinquishment of sovereignty," calling on the Lebanese authorities to retreat from it and adhere to what he termed the provisions of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding.

Qassem stated in a written statement on Saturday that the agreement legitimizes the continued Israeli presence in Lebanese territories for a long period, warning that this could lead to the annexation of those areas to Israel.

He added that linking the Israeli withdrawal to the disarmament of the resistance represents a very dangerous proposal that exceeds all red lines, considering it places Lebanon's future hostage to Israeli conditions.

On Friday evening, Washington witnessed the signing of a "framework agreement" between Beirut and Tel Aviv, concluding the fifth round of direct negotiations hosted by the United States. The agreement, consisting of 14 points, stipulated that the Lebanese armed forces would gradually assume full and effective security responsibility in designated areas from which the Israeli army is withdrawing in southern Lebanon.

Free concessions

Qassem accused the Lebanese authorities of abandoning available leverage, noting that direct negotiations with Israel represent free concessions and come in the absence of pressure elements that enable Lebanon to impose its conditions.

He also deemed the agreement to contradict the principle of national sovereignty, granting Israel political and security gains without any compensation.

The Hezbollah Secretary-General pointed out that the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding included a commitment to halt military operations and ensure the safety and sovereignty of Lebanese territories, with a specific timeframe for reaching a final agreement on outstanding issues. He believed that the Lebanese authorities ignored this opportunity and chose to pursue an alternative path that serves Israeli interests.

He also criticized what was stated in the agreement regarding the mechanisms for deploying the Lebanese army and monitoring the implementation of security commitments, considering that this grants Israel a direct role in monitoring Lebanese internal affairs and links any withdrawal from occupied territories to the issue of disarming the resistance throughout the country.

"Terrible fall"

Qassem affirmed that any agreement should be limited to addressing the issue of the Israeli occupation of Lebanese lands, without linking it to internal issues related to weapons or the future of the security system in the country, stressing that Israel is obligated to withdraw as an occupying force without additional conditions.

He described the framework agreement concluded in Washington as "humiliation and shame and a concession of sovereignty," adding, "What is this terrible fall? What is this great sin of relinquishing sovereignty to the Israeli enemy?".

Qassem affirmed that his party does not recognize this agreement and calls for working to implement what is stated in the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding, and to continue political and diplomatic pressures for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territories.

He called on the Lebanese authorities to review their positions and retreat from the agreement, confirming Hezbollah's readiness to cooperate in what he termed the protection of Lebanon's sovereignty, liberating its territories, returning residents to their areas, and reconstruction.

He also stressed the party's commitment to the option of resistance, stating that the party "has not left the field in the toughest circumstances and will not leave it," affirming the continued effort to confront the Israeli occupation.

"It is discord, O my people"

For his part, the President of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, called on Saturday to avoid discord and not to be drawn into it, emphasizing the need for caution and restraint.

The "National News Agency" quoted Berri as saying, "O my people in Lebanon, it is discord.. Be like the son of a camel in discord, neither riding nor milking."

On Friday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated in a statement that the agreement is "a first step towards restoring Lebanon's sovereignty over its territory in full and undiminished."

As for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he stated in a recorded video message that "Israel will not withdraw from the security belt as long as Hezbollah has not disarmed, and as long as there is a threat to Israel," according to his expression.

Netanyahu added that the agreement allows for the start of the Lebanese army's deployment in specific areas based on the recommendations of the Israeli army, with implementation to begin in two trial areas.