Naim Qassem Calls for Lebanon–Israel Framework to Be Scrapped

Hezbollah secretary-general Naim Qassem called for the June Lebanon–Israel framework to be canceled, saying his organization accepts only the November 27, 2024 agreement under UN Security Council Resolution 1701. In a televised address, he rejected direct negotiations, the proposed pilot zones and a verification committee, and said Hezbollah would not surrender its weapons. The framework links a gradual Israeli withdrawal to Hezbollah’s complete disarmament and Lebanese Armed Forces deployment in designated pilot areas. Qassem urged a return to indirect negotiations and accused Washington of lacking neutrality.