Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem today blasted the American-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza, calling it “full of dangers” and accusing Israel of using diplomacy to secure the objectives it failed to achieve through warfare.
Addressing mourners at a memorial for two senior Hezbollah members slain in last year’s conflict with Israel, Qassem—quoted by AFP—asserted that the plan advanced by U.S. President Donald Trump was merely a façade for Israeli ambitions.
“In fact, this plan is a plan full of dangers,” Qassem claimed. “It is Israel’s project, which it seeks to achieve through politics after failing to achieve it through military action, aggression, genocide and famine.”
Qassem noted that while Hamas had expressed openness to the proposal a day earlier, the ultimate decision belonged to the various Palestinian factions. “Ultimately, the Palestinian resistance, Hamas, and all the factions are the ones discussing and deciding what they see fit,” he said, stressing that he would not “interfere in the discussion of the details.”
The Hezbollah figure also cautioned against what he labeled the “Greater Israel project,” which he said envisions Israeli sovereignty extending beyond its recognized borders to encompass Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and parts of neighboring states. “We must confront the Greater Israel project,” he declared. “The project will reach him sooner or later, according to Israel’s planning.”
Qassem’s remarks came amid mounting domestic pressure for Hezbollah to lay down its arms. Lebanon’s government recently instructed the army to draft a comprehensive plan to disarm the group by the end of 2025.
Following that decision, the Lebanese cabinet informally endorsed a military proposal for Hezbollah’s disarmament, though no official vote was taken and no firm timetable established.
Qassem denounced the government’s effort, reiterating that Hezbollah has no intention of relinquishing its weapons and will continue to resist any attempt to force its disarmament.
{Matzav.com}
