Naim Qassem Rejects Ceasefire That Lets Israel Continue Strikes in Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected any ceasefire arrangement that would allow Israel to continue military operations in Lebanon, saying in a TV speech that a ceasefire must include a complete halt to military operations by air, land, and sea.

Shafaq News reported Qassem said, "We are now in a phase of defeating the Israeli project," and added that Lebanon should view Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a source of leverage.

Anadolu Ajansı

CBS News said the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah endangers the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, and noted that more than a dozen people were killed in Lebanon by Israeli strikes overnight Saturday.

The BBC reported that Israel and Hezbollah continued strikes despite a new ceasefire agreement, with local officials saying 16 people were killed in the Nabatieh district and seven in neighbouring Saida after Israeli warplanes, drones, and artillery targeted several areas.

The BBC also said the Israeli military claimed it struck "dozens" of Hezbollah targets after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in the region.

In Lebanon, the BBC quoted Ali, a Red Cross first responder in Nabatieh, saying it was "the most intense night" he can remember, and described ambulances bypassing the emergency room and heading straight to the morgue at Najdi Hospital.

The BBC also reported that Hezbollah in a statement accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and said the group has the right to "defend their land and sovereignty" in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks.

An-Nahar

CBS News said a top member of Iran's negotiating team warned American officials to "be careful with their statements" and cautioned that Iran's armed forces "are ready to respond," after President Trump threatened to strike Iran if it doesn't immediately stop Hezbollah from "causing trouble."

Shafaq News said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out that the security zone in southern Lebanon would remain in place following the opening of negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland.

Mehr News Agency quoted Qassem rejecting talks with the Zionist regime and warning that "One-sided ceasefire means the continuation of the Israeli aggression."

CBS News said U.S. and Iranian negotiators met in Switzerland as the two countries launched a 60-day sprint to negotiate over the fate of Iran's nuclear program, with an emergency session on the fighting in Lebanon added to the agenda.

“Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes despite ceasefire agreement At least 20 people have reportedly been killed by Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, less than 24 hours after a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced”

BBC

The BBC said the U.S. government has criticised Israel's ongoing operations in Lebanon and warned that continuing tensions between Israel and Lebanon could undermine the US peace deal with Iran, which includes a commitment to end fighting on "all fronts" including Lebanon.

DW reported that heavy fighting in Lebanon put the wider Iran ceasefire under pressure, and said Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday peace talks were postponed, with no new date given.

Annahar reported that Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the Washington-announced agreement constitutes the 'last chance' to reach a comprehensive ceasefire, while Qassem said, "There is no division between the South and the rest of Lebanon, and there is no freedom to kill the Israeli enemy in Lebanon."

Annahar also cited the Health Ministry tally that "the war has killed at least 3,666 people in Lebanon since March 2," as it described continued strikes across southern Lebanon and a reported initial toll of 8 martyrs and 32 injured from an Israeli airstrike on the Msa kin district in Tyre.