Hezbollah Leader Stands Firm on Disarmament, Demands Israel Comply with Ceasefire First

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem made it clear on Monday that the Lebanese government should prioritize ensuring Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire agreement before engaging in discussions about a national defense strategy. This stance reaffirms the Iran-backed group’s rejection of disarmament until certain conditions are met. In response to Israel’s indication that it would reduce its military presence in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese army disarmed Hezbollah, Qassem emphasized the need for Israel to demonstrate its commitment to the ceasefire first.