BEIRUT, April 14, (V7N) — Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem on Monday urged Lebanon to cancel a planned meeting with Israel in Washington, reiterating his group’s rejection of direct negotiations with its longtime foe.

“We reject negotiations with the usurping Israeli entity… We call for a historic and heroic stance by cancelling this negotiating meeting,” Qassem said in a televised address. His remarks came as the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States prepared to meet Tuesday to discuss possible direct talks.
War backdrop

Lebanon’s authorities have stressed that securing a ceasefire in the Israel‑Hezbollah war is their priority. Israel, however, has dismissed that prospect, insisting instead on formal peace talks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday: “We want the dismantling of Hezbollah’s weapons, and we want a real peace agreement that will last for generations.”

Qassem countered that “these negotiations are futile and require a Lebanese agreement and consensus.”
Protests and casualties

Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters protested in Beirut over the weekend, accusing Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of being a “zionist” for allowing the talks to proceed. Israeli strikes have killed more than 2,000 people in Lebanon and displaced over a million since Hezbollah entered the Middle East war on March 2.

Qassem vowed: “We will not surrender, we will remain in the field until our last breath,” as Israeli forces advanced in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army said Monday its troops had completely surrounded Bint Jbeil, a key town near the border, while Hezbollah claimed ongoing attacks against Israeli positions.
Escalating rhetoric

Qassem warned that northern Israeli localities “will not be safe, even if the Israelis were to enter any area of Lebanon.” He accused Beirut of “backstabbing” Hezbollah by declaring its military activities illegal at the start of the war.

“Israel and the US clearly said they want to strengthen the Lebanese army to disarm and fight Hezbollah… but the army cannot do that,” he added.

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