BEIRUT, April 11, (V7N) — The militant group Hezbollah has officially reiterated its refusal to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, even as a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 10 people in southern Lebanon on Saturday.

The rejection comes at a pivotal diplomatic moment, with the office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announcing that representatives from Lebanon, Israel, and the United States are scheduled to convene in Washington next week. The high-level meeting is intended to discuss a formal ceasefire and a roadmap for negotiations under U.S. mediation.
Political Unrest and Street Protests

The prospect of talks has ignited a firestorm of domestic opposition:

Beirut Demonstrations: Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters took to the streets of central Beirut today, waving the group's yellow flags and chanting slogans against normalization.

Demands for Resignation: Many protesters focused their anger on Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, calling for his immediate resignation and accusing the government of undermining national sovereignty by considering a dialogue with what they term an "enemy state."

Internal Political Fractures

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah characterized the proposed Washington talks as a direct violation of Lebanon’s constitution and the national pact. He warned that bypassing the established political consensus could fracture the country’s internal stability during its most vulnerable period in decades.

Reinforcing this stance, Iranian adviser Ali Akbar Velayati issued a warning that any attempt to sideline Hezbollah in the peace process would expose Lebanon to "grave security risks."
Rising Casualties Amid Failed Ceasefire

Despite the broader U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement reached earlier this year, localized violence remains intense:

Recent Strikes: The Israeli military confirmed hitting over 200 Hezbollah-linked targets in the last 24 hours, focusing on rocket launch infrastructure.

Casualty Report: The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 10 deaths in today’s strikes, which included first responders. This brings the total death toll since the escalation to over 1,950 people.

Calls for Civil Peace

In a surprising move following the daytime protests, Hezbollah and its political ally, the Amal Movement, issued a joint statement late Saturday urging their supporters to stand down. The leadership emphasized the "mechanical necessity" of maintaining civil peace and avoiding internal instability as the diplomatic situation develops.
The Washington Outlook

The upcoming talks in Washington are viewed by the international community as a final chance to prevent a total collapse of Lebanese statehood. However, with Israel maintaining its military pressure and Hezbollah refusing a seat at the table, the path to a sustainable peace remains fraught with uncertainty.

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