Statement Issued by Hezbollah

Today, the criminal Prime Minister of the Zionist enemy, Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed that “Hezbollah is undermining the ceasefire,” and that the enemy has the right to “freedom of action” in Lebanon “according to the agreement with the United States of America and Lebanon.” Hezbollah condemns Netanyahu’s remarks and strongly warns of their grave danger, particularly in attempting to implicate the Lebanese authorities in a bilateral agreement reached solely between him and Washington, in which Lebanon had no opinion or position, and therefore did not approve. Accordingly, Hezbollah wishes to emphasize the following:

The continued targeting by the resistance of Israeli enemy gatherings on our occupied land, and the shelling of enemy settlements in northern occupied Palestine, is a legitimate response to its ongoing violations of the ceasefire since the very first day the temporary truce was announced. These violations have exceeded 500 breaches by land, sea, and air, including bombardment, demolition, and destruction of homes, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens of our steadfast people.

The extension of the truce for additional weeks was supposed, according to statements by the Lebanese authorities, to lead to a genuine ceasefire in which the enemy would halt its violations and attacks, especially the demolition and destruction of homes in the south. Instead, it escalated its aggression and attacks, confirming its criminal nature, treachery, and contempt for all international laws and conventions.

The Lebanese authorities claimed that their main condition for attending their ill-fated meeting in Washington with the enemy was to demand an end to its attacks and the beginning of its withdrawal from our occupied lands. However, we heard no clear or public statement making such a condition. On the contrary, what was issued by Lebanon’s representative was merely praise for the American president, the enemy’s partner in shedding Lebanese blood, which encouraged the enemy to continue its attacks and violations.

The Lebanese authorities have placed themselves in a dangerous predicament when they chose to appear in one shameful photograph with representatives of an illegitimate usurping entity that violates its land and sovereignty and continues to kill its people, while pursuing paths that legitimize this enemy’s aggression.

Today, the authorities stand silent and incapable of carrying out the most basic national duties toward their land and people, watching as the enemy demolishes homes and destroys everything in its path. They are required to provide a clear explanation to their people regarding the alleged agreement the enemy cites as granting it freedom to attack, destroy, and kill.

Hezbollah affirms clearly and decisively that the continued violations of the ceasefire by the enemy, its attacks through bombardment, bulldozing, destruction of homes, targeting of civilians, and above all its continued occupation of Lebanese land and violations of sovereignty, will be met with response and with a resistance that is present and ready to defend its land and people. This is a right guaranteed by international conventions. We will not wait for or rely on failed diplomacy that has proven its ineffectiveness, nor on an authority that has failed to protect its homeland. The people of this land are the true guarantee in confronting this aggression and defeating the occupation.