The fragile diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities between Israel and Lebanon suffered a major setback on Thursday, after Hezbollah formally rejected a newly announced US-backed ceasefire agreement, describing the proposal as a “surrender” that would serve Israel’s strategic objectives.
The rejection came a day after Israel and Lebanon announced a renewed ceasefire arrangement following US-mediated negotiations in Washington, aimed at reducing tensions along the volatile border region.
In a strongly worded statement, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the negotiations had been “futile” and “humiliating” for Lebanon, insisting that large sections of the Lebanese population opposed the agreement.
Under the proposed arrangement, Hezbollah fighters would withdraw from areas between the Israeli border and the Litani River, while designated security zones would be placed under the exclusive control of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The United States, which helped broker the deal, said implementation was dependent on a complete halt to attacks by Hezbollah.
However, Qassem argued that the terms effectively demanded unilateral concessions from Hezbollah, without corresponding guarantees from Israel.
“This is surrender, not peace,” was the sentiment echoed by many residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a traditional Hezbollah stronghold, where skepticism over the agreement remains widespread.
The latest agreement emerged after a fourth round of talks between Israeli and Lebanese representatives under American mediation.
While details of the proposed “pilot security zones” remain unclear, the plan envisions areas in southern Lebanon where only the Lebanese military would be allowed to operate, excluding all armed non-state groups.
The proposal follows a partial ceasefire announced earlier in the week that reportedly involved Israel refraining from strikes on Beirut in exchange for Hezbollah suspending attacks on Israeli territory.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, violence continued on Thursday.
Lebanese media reported multiple Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Authorities said at least six people were killed in separate attacks, including five victims in Sohmor and another person in Maaroub near the coastal city of Tyre.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed the death of one of its peacekeepers after mortar rounds struck a UN position near Marjayoun overnight.
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The Israeli military blamed Hezbollah for the attack, alleging that mortar fire launched by the group landed inside the peacekeeping base. Hezbollah had not commented on the accusation as of the time of reporting.
The fallen peacekeeper was later identified as Senior Sergeant Milovan Jovanovic of Serbia, one of approximately 170 Serbian troops serving in the multinational UN mission.
Israel also reported that several suspicious aerial objects were detected in areas where its forces are currently operating in southern Lebanon, although no casualties were recorded.
Hezbollah, for its part, announced that it had launched drone and rocket attacks against Israeli troops and military vehicles in the Lebanese town of Qantara and around the strategic Beaufort Castle area.
