Hezbollah's Ceasefire Demands: Israeli Withdrawal from Lebanon is Non-Negotiable

Statement from Hezbollah Leader Naim Qassem

According to Главком: During a ten-day ceasefire, Hezbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, outlined the group's conditions for cooperating with the Lebanese government and maintaining peace with Israel. He stated that the group's fighters remain on full alert and have no intention of disarming. Hezbollah's key demands are:

• An immediate end to Israeli attacks on targets within Lebanon;
• The complete withdrawal of all Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) units from Lebanese territory.

This latest escalation in the long-standing conflict has resulted in significant casualties. The recent hostilities have led to the deaths of approximately 2,300 people in Lebanon. On the Israeli side, officials have reported at least 13 soldiers and two civilians killed. On April 17, Lebanon's health ministry confirmed one fatality from an Israeli strike after the truce began, which hit the southern Lebanese town of Kounine, killing one person and wounding two others.

Regional Stability at Stake

Naim Qassem further asserted that regional stability hinges on the return of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese refugees to their homes. He emphasized that the group will no longer adhere to a policy of prolonged strategic patience while awaiting diplomatic outcomes if Israeli aggression continues.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added that any comprehensive ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington must explicitly include Lebanon.

The core issue of Hezbollah's disarmament, a point of contention since the 2024 agreements, remains unresolved. The situation in Lebanon is tense, with Hezbollah refusing to disarm and presenting demands to Israel during this temporary peace. This indicates that despite diplomatic efforts, the conflict could easily reignite without a compromise. Furthermore, while the return of refugees is crucial for regional stability, its implementation depends entirely on security conditions and the political landscape in Lebanon and its relations with Israel.

The ongoing tensions in the region have prompted significant calls for de-escalation, with influential figures urging an end to military actions. In particular, recent appeals from both Trump and Lebanese officials highlight the urgency of stopping strikes ahead of crucial talks in Washington. This backdrop of diplomatic efforts underscores the fragility of the current ceasefire and the potential for renewed conflict if demands from groups like Hezbollah are not addressed.