Israel-Hamas war, Gaza genocide

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Hezbollah chief rules out giving up group’s weapons

Naim Qassem has dismissed proposals for Hezbollah to disarm, dealing an apparent setback US-led efforts to reach a deal between Lebanon and Israel that would see the Lebanese group give up its weapons.

While he stressed that Israel does not need an excuse to attack its neighbours, the Hezbollah secretary-general said with no “resistance”, the Israeli military would expand in Lebanon – as it has in southern Syria.

“We will not surrender or give up to Israel; Israel will not take our weapons away from us,” Qassem said in a video message.

Hezbollah emerged severely weakened from its last confrontation with Israel, which saw the group’s top military and political officials killed before a ceasefire was reached in November.

Qassem appeared to acknowledge that Hezbollah is not in a position to respond to Israel’s daily violations of the ceasefire or to attack Israeli troops occupying parts of south Lebanon. But he said the group is will not disarm under the threat of a renewed all-out war.

“We are proceeding, prepared and ready for a defensive confrontation,” the Hezbollah chief said.


Lebanese PM says Hezbollah weapons must come under state’s control

Nawaf Salam has described a US proposal to disarm Hezbollah as an “opportunity” for Lebanon.

The Lebanese prime minister said the deal – conveyed by US envoy Tom Barrack earlier this month – would also lead to Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanon and ensure all weapons are under the control of the state.

Salam said Hezbollah’s weapons played a leading role in liberating southern Lebanon from Israel in 2000, but the group must now turn them over.

The prime minister argued that Hezbollah’s push to deter Israeli attacks with its arsenal has failed, citing the widespread destruction in South Lebanon over the past two years.

“No one has any protection other than under the Lebanese state,” Salam told Al Jadeed TV.

Hezbollah says the Lebanese armed forces have failed to confront Israeli abuses since Israel’s inception in 1948. As we reported earlier, Hezbollah’s chief has rejected the US push for the group to disarm.