Lebanonupdated 1h ago3 min read
Observers Expect No Change After Israel Elections As Hezbollah Rejects US Framework
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Likud remains largest party with ~24–25 seats; Arab-Israeli lists gain, no majority. Hezbollah rejects a US-sponsored framework for Lebanon-Israel, disarmament deemed illegitimate.
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Elections, Lebanon, no shift
Joseph al-Quassi, Editor-in-Chief of Journalism Observers, said observers do not expect a radical or even slight change from the results of the Israeli elections, and he linked that to Lebanon’s continuing attacks on its south and accumulating human and material losses day by day. Abdul Rahman Bizri said he believes it is unlikely that the outcome of the Israeli elections will change the expansionist nature of the Tel Aviv regime or its attempt to maintain occupation of the Lebanese soil, adding that any cabinet that is formed will have the same approach.
The PressTV account said Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem rejected a US-sponsored framework agreement between Beirut and Israel as illegitimate and ruled out disarmament while Israeli occupation and aggression against Lebanon continue. The PressTV account also said Hezbollah called the proposed arrangement “null and void” and said there is “no room for discussion about disarming the resistance as long as the occupation exists and its aggression continues.”
Seats, ballots, and bargaining
Abdul Rahman Bizri said the Arab-led parties Ra’am and the Joint List could take 20 seats, which he said will allow them to play an effective role in the formation of Israel’s next coalition administration. PressTV said approximately 90 percent of ballots tallied left both principal political coalitions falling below the 61-seat threshold required to form a cabinet, with the Israeli Central Elections Committee counting more than five million votes by 9 p.m. local time. Le Figaro said the vote tally continued after the legislative elections that took place on Tuesday, October 27, and it said no absolute majority seemed to be emerging for either Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot.
Charente Libre said the lack of a majority means parties will now embark on weeks of intensive bargaining to try to reach the 61 seats needed to form a government coalition. Charente Libre also said the electoral commission was expected to publish results gradually, from Tuesday night into Wednesday, a process that could last several days.
Hezbollah rejects disarmament
Sheikh Naim Qassem said Hezbollah would confront any aggression against the resistance group and Lebanon, and he reiterated his call for Israeli occupation forces to withdraw from Lebanese territory. The Times of Israel liveblog entry quoted Qassem saying, “We do not concern ourselves with who governs Israel, but let it be perfectly clear that it cannot continue its occupation and must leave our land,” and it added that the group would continue its “resistance” no matter who wins. The PressTV account said Hezbollah’s proposed framework required a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and Hezbollah’s disarmament before the withdrawal is completed, but it said Qassem described the framework as “null and void” and said it granted the Israeli regime concessions it did not deserve.
The PressTV account said Israeli forces continue to carry out airstrikes in southern Lebanon and maintain control over Lebanese territory, and it said some areas have been under Israeli occupation for years while others were seized during the latest war. Sheikh Naim Qassem urged the Lebanese army to deploy south of the Litani River and warned that “surrender and concessions” would leave Lebanon with nothing.