Israel and Lebanon resume ceasefire talks with EU backing

Hezbollah has rejected a U.S.-brokered cease‑fire between Israel and Lebanon, calling it a staged agreement that leaves Israeli forces free to operate in the south and forces the Lebanese resistance to disarm. The group’s secretary‑general, Naim Qassem, said any truce must be comprehensive and that Hezbollah will continue to respond to Israeli attacks while they persist.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the bloc trusts that Israel and Lebanon will continue direct negotiations in a constructive spirit. The EU urged all parties to fully respect the cease‑fire terms, demanded Hezbollah withdraw from the area south of the Litani River, and called on Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty. The statement also noted a new €100 million aid package for the Lebanese armed forces and condemned recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in the country.