In a significant development, Hezbollah has rejected the latest ceasefire agreement with Israel, demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. This comes as Israeli strikes reportedly killed four people in Lebanon, according to local authorities, and a U.N. peacekeeper was tragically caught in the crossfire.

Hezbollah’s Stance

Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem criticized the ceasefire negotiations as “absurd” and “humiliating,” emphasizing that Hezbollah would not cease fighting until Israeli aggression ends. He stated that as long as Lebanese villages remain unsafe, northern Israel would not be secure either.

Israeli Response

Following Kassem’s statement, drone alert sirens were triggered in northern Israel, including in Shlomi, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been meeting with local officials. The Israeli military reported that the sirens were due to attempts to intercept drones near soldiers in southern Lebanon.

Military Movements

Lebanese troops, in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, began moving into the southern village of Dibbine after Israeli forces withdrew. This marks the first Israeli withdrawal from a southern Lebanon area since the latest conflict began three months ago.

Impact on Iran War

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon threatens efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial transit point for global oil and gas supplies. Iran has insisted that any truce must extend to Lebanon, while Netanyahu aims to continue Israel’s offensive until Hezbollah is no longer a threat.

Casualties and Ceasefire Efforts

The fighting has resulted in over 3,500 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than 1.2 million people. The latest ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., calls for Lebanon’s armed forces to take control of security zones, but Hezbollah remains defiant. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has termed the agreement “the last chance” for a comprehensive ceasefire.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.