Hezbollah has forcefully rejected the newly announced US‑brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, calling it a “humiliating, shameful surrender” that undermines Lebanese sovereignty and legitimises Israel’s continued military presence in the south. The group’s deputy chief Naim Qassem declared the deal “null and void,” insisting that Lebanon must instead adhere to the provisions of the broader Iran–US ceasefire memorandum shaping regional de‑escalation efforts.
The agreement — signed in Washington after five rounds of negotiations — includes a pilot plan for the Lebanese Army to assume control of two areas currently held by Israeli forces. It also outlines a phased process to disarm Hezbollah, a condition aimed at ending months of cross‑border fighting that intensified after Hezbollah launched rockets on 2 March, claiming retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in joint US‑Israeli strikes.
Qassem accused the Lebanese government of committing a “grave blunder,” warning that the deal could pave the way for the annexation of occupied territory. His remarks reflect deep divisions within Lebanon, where some residents described the agreement as humiliating, while others cautiously hoped it might reduce Israeli military action.
The deal comes amid one of the most volatile periods in the region in years. Israel’s response to Hezbollah’s March attack included extensive airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue to hold strategic positions. The new framework seeks to halt the cycle of retaliation, but Hezbollah’s rejection raises doubts about its viability.
Hezbollah has long opposed direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, arguing that any agreement reached under US mediation inherently favours Israeli interests. With public protests erupting in Beirut and political factions split, the path to implementing the deal remains uncertain.