Hezbollah's deputy political chief rejects the French proposal to end the conflict with Israel, stating it is unacceptable to disarm or normalize relations with the country.
Mahmoud Qmati, Hezbollah's deputy political chief, has firmly rejected the French proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war initiated by Israel against Lebanon. He deemed the initiative 'dead on arrival', emphasizing that the resistance movement will not accept any terms that involve disarming Hezbollah or normalizing relations with Israel. Qmati's comments aired on Al Jazeera Direct reflect a deep-seated skepticism towards external diplomatic efforts, particularly criticizing France and the U.S. for failing to compel Israel to adhere to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and cease hostilities.
During his remarks, Qmati voiced strong opposition to any calls for disarming Hezbollah and normalizing relations with Israel, which he labeled as entirely unacceptable to both the resistance and the Lebanese populace. He characterized the ongoing tensions and the calls for dialogue with Israel as detrimental to Lebanon's sovereignty and an affront to Hezbollah's resistance, which he claims has remained patient under relentless bombardments for over 15 months in hopes of successful diplomatic negotiations. However, he expressed disappointment in the Lebanese government's approach to negotiations with Israel, considering such actions a grave mistake amid ongoing conflict.
Furthermore, Qmati's statements underscore Hezbollah's commitment to its armed resistance strategy amidst external pressures and highlight the ongoing regional tensions surrounding Lebanon. His insistence on rejecting the normalization of ties with Israel speaks to a broader resistance narrative within Lebanon, as well as the challenges facing the Lebanese government in navigating international diplomacy while managing internal dissent.
