Hezbollah Leader Urges Lebanese Government to Take Stronger Action Against Israeli Strikes

BEIRUT  — In a recent televised address, the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, Naim Kassem, called on the Lebanese government to intensify efforts to stop Israeli airstrikes targeting the country. His remarks came just a day after an Israeli airstrike hit a suburb of Beirut.

Kassem emphasized that Hezbollah had fully complied with the ceasefire agreement that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in late November. Despite this, he said, Israel continues its near-daily airstrikes on Lebanon, violating the terms of the truce.

Kassem’s statements came as the Israeli military reported carrying out over 50 airstrikes in Lebanon this month, accusing Hezbollah of breaching the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. On Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut’s southern suburbs for the third time since the ceasefire took effect, targeting a precision-guided missile facility. This attack followed a warning issued by Israel about an hour before the strike.

“We fulfilled our part of the ceasefire agreement 100%,” Kassem said. “Now, it is the responsibility of the Lebanese government to ensure our protection.” He urged Lebanese officials to reach out to the international sponsors of the ceasefire, pressuring Israel to stop its ongoing attacks.

Kassem also turned his attention to the United States, urging Lebanese leaders to push Washington to recognize that Lebanon’s stability is in America’s interest. He stressed that Lebanon cannot recover or prosper as long as Israel’s aggression continues.

The Hezbollah leader reiterated that the immediate priorities should be securing an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, halting Israeli airstrikes, and securing the release of Lebanese detainees held in Israel since the conclusion of the war in November.

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel erupted in full-scale war last September, following waves of Israeli airstrikes that targeted Hezbollah’s senior leaders, resulting in over 4,000 casualties. Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones, and missiles into Israel in retaliation for the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which claimed around 1,200 Israeli lives and led to the abduction of 251 others.

Since the ceasefire was brokered, Lebanon has suffered significant casualties, with the Lebanese government reporting that 190 people have been killed and 485 injured by Israeli strikes.

Kassem’s message highlights growing frustrations in Lebanon over the continued Israeli airstrikes and the need for stronger action from the Lebanese government to protect its sovereignty and its citizens.

Source: AP News – Hezbollah leader calls on government to work harder to end Israel’s attacks on Lebanon