Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem denounced the upcoming direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel on Monday, labeling the talks as an act of surrender.
In a televised speech, the cleric warned Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that opposing the movement would only serve Israeli interests.
Qassem explicitly rejected the diplomatic process, stating, "We reject negotiations with the Zionist entity, these negotiations are senseless and require a Lebanese agreement and consensus on a change of course."
According to reports from Cooperativa RSS and BioBioChile, the negotiations are scheduled to begin Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
The meeting will involve the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel, marking the first step in a process aimed at establishing a ceasefire.
Beirut intends to use the ceasefire to open more detailed negotiations regarding long-term solutions for outstanding territorial and political issues.
However, Qassem characterized the talks as a way to strip the nation of its power, adding, "This negotiation is surrendering, it is stripping Lebanon of its strength."
Al Jazeera reported that the Iran-backed group remains at war with the country and continues to dismiss the utility of the Washington meeting.
The Israeli delegation enters the talks with the primary objective of achieving the disarmament of Hezbollah, according to local reports.
Israel has shown no intention of accepting a ceasefire prior to such disarmament, a stance Qassem described as a "humiliation" that harms the Lebanese government and people.
A demand for sovereignty
Qassem directly addressed the presidency, suggesting that the administration is under external pressure.
"President, you are being pressured to confront your people, they will not be satisfied until everything falls in benefit of Israel," Qassem said.
He appealed to national unity, asserting that "we, the children of the same country, build it together and turn it into a regional example of independence and freedom."
The Hezbollah leader argued that true patriotism excludes working with the enemy and urged the government to cancel the Washington encounter.
"We call, and the option still exists, to adopt a historic and brave posture to cancel this negotiation meeting. You will see how all countries will follow you," Qassem urged.
Qassem insisted that any lasting peace must first adhere to the stipulations of the 2024 ceasefire agreement.
He outlined five non-negotiable points for the movement: the end of violence, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories, the release of prisoners, the return of displaced populations to southern Lebanon, and international support for reconstruction.
"These five points must be applied first and then we will debate calmly all the other issues that need to be debated. We, as Lebanese, know how to work, how to cooperate and how to make decisions," Qassem concluded.
Conflict between the two sides has intensified following the expiration of a 15-month ceasefire that ended on March 2.
Since that date, the Israeli military has conducted near-daily attacks on Lebanese territory.
Reports also indicate that the Israeli army has refused to withdraw from five hills in southern Lebanon, a move that violates previous agreements.
