Hezbollah is responding to direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel—brokered by the United States—with both political and military escalation. This includes denying the legitimacy of the talks and calling on the Lebanese state to “reconsider its decision to negotiate with Israel,” while simultaneously increasing rocket fire toward Israel.
Political Opposition
Hussein Fadlallah, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc (Loyalty to the Resistance), stated that the authority in Beirut is “incompetent” and that individual and sectarian interests often outweigh national concerns. He argued in a press conference that the Lebanese government is “persistently offering concessions to the enemy” and has entered a “wrong path that increases division among the Lebanese.” Fadlallah called on the Lebanese authority to “reconsider its calculations and return to its people,” adding that the authority “withdrew the army from the South to depart it prey to the occupation, giving it free opportunities.”
Fadlallah likewise stated, “Despite the enemy’s destruction of the Bent Jbeil stadium, it was unable to capture a picture inside it,” believing that “the enemy tried to compensate for its defeat in the field in Washington negotiations.” He urged the Lebanese government to “reconsider its decision to negotiate with Israel, as this step will increase the rift between the Lebanese.”
These statements followed an announcement by Wafiq Safa, a member of Hezbollah’s Political Council, that his party is not concerned with the ongoing negotiations. Safa told the Associated Press, “We are not interested in the results of the negotiations at all, nor do they concern us,” adding, “We are not bound by what they agree upon.”
Military Escalation
Hezbollah attempted to reinforce this position by launching approximately 40 rockets toward Israel within an hour, particularly targeting settlements in the north. The group also released a video showing the launch of a cruise missile toward a military site in the Upper Galilee, claiming it targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the “Miskav Am” site. Additional operations included the launch of a swarm of drones and rocket barrages at various locations.
Negotiating Outside the State
Retired Brigadier General Saeed Qazeh explained that Hezbollah is attempting to establish a clear equation for Israel: that it is not concerned with any negotiations conducted through the Lebanese state, but rather seeks to establish itself as the sole party that can be contacted to stop the firing, as has happened in previous instances. Qazeh clarified that Hezbollah does not practically recognize the authority of the Lebanese state in this file, or its negotiating capabilities with Israel, especially regarding the security aspect on the southern border. He believes this approach aims first to consolidate its role as a party capable of imposing negotiating conditions, and second to keep this card in the hands of Iran to leverage within the broader framework of its negotiations with the United States.
Qazeh linked the escalation to the timing, noting that “military operations in the South are still ongoing, and Hezbollah is still in a field clash with the Israeli army.” He added that launching around 40 rockets this morning, coinciding with the reopening of schools in Israeli settlements, has implications beyond the immediate military dimension, framing it as a way to assert presence and send a message that the war has not stopped, and that any negotiating track in Washington does not automatically imply calm on the Lebanese front.
Hezbollah, according to Qazeh, seeks to recreate the pattern of indirect negotiation that prevailed in previous stages, such as in 1993, 1996, 2000, and the 2006 war, where communication channels were through international mediators, without the Lebanese state being the actual party managing this track. This approach, he added, also extended to more recent stages, including the maritime border demarcation file, where understanding was practically reached within an equation imposed by Hezbollah, while the Lebanese state was in the position of the recipient, or the party through which the official framework of the agreement was completed.
Political Messages Under Military Cover
Retired Brigadier General Naji Malaeb offered a different perspective on the military dimension, stating that the escalation “does not carry a decisive military value as much as it falls within the framework of proving political and military existence.” He explained that Iran, in its missile system, relies on launching multiple waves of missiles or drones to exhaust air defenses, with the goal of ensuring the arrival of the main ballistic missile to its target, but what is happening currently does not reach this level of effectiveness.
Malaeb added that the military effort Hezbollah is making today does not change the balance of power, nor does it inflict more than limited losses on Israel, given Israel’s comprehensive readiness, whether at the level of defenses or infrastructure, including shelters that provide protection for civilians. He pointed out that Israeli technological superiority, especially in the field of drones, makes it challenging to confront this type of operation in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hezbollah’s position on the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel?
Hezbollah has declared itself uninterested in the negotiations and has called on the Lebanese government to reconsider its decision to negotiate with Israel, stating it will increase division among the Lebanese.
What military actions has Hezbollah taken?
Hezbollah launched approximately 40 rockets toward Israel within an hour, targeting settlements in the north, and released a video showing the launch of a cruise missile toward a military site in the Upper Galilee.
What is Hezbollah attempting to achieve with these actions?
Hezbollah is attempting to establish an equation where it is seen as the sole party Israel can contact to stop the firing, bypassing the Lebanese state and reinforcing its role as a key player in the conflict.
Given the current tensions, what further steps might Hezbollah take if negotiations continue without its involvement?
