Hezbollah rejects US‑mediated ceasefire with Israel and Lebanon

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the cease‑fire proposal negotiated by Israeli and Lebanese diplomats in Washington amounts to a "capitulation" and called the talks "absurd, humiliating and shameful" for Lebanon. The group rejected the U.S.‑brokered terms, which included a complete halt to its attacks, withdrawal of its fighters from the southern front, and the creation of pilot security zones under Lebanese army control, with the evacuation of Hezbollah agents from an area between the Israeli border and the Litani River now occupied by Israeli troops.

Israel has said it will continue strikes to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure, while Lebanese President Joseph Aoun indicated the ceasefire could be enacted within 24 hours once all parties approve it. The fragile cease‑fire, first announced on 16 April, remains unimplemented amid mutual accusations of violations. Hezbollah reiterated its goal of ending Israeli aggression and ending the occupation, thanking Iran for its support.