BEIRUT, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned on Saturday that the group could consider "other options" if Israel fails to adhere to the ceasefire agreement.

"If Israeli actions escalate into killing, destruction, and occupation, we cannot remain spectators," Qassem said in a speech broadcast on Hezbollah's al-Manar TV channel.

He accused Israel of daily violations despite Hezbollah's commitment to the agreement.

"We in Hezbollah have fully adhered to the deal, but Israel has not withdrawn and continues its attacks on Lebanon," he said.

Qassem called for "an end to Israeli aggression" and warned against "any new equation that allows Israel to attack Dahieh, the Bekaa, and the South." He urged the Lebanese government to take responsibility and confront Israeli violations.

On Friday, Israeli warplanes struck targets in southern Lebanon and a building in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh after rockets were fired into northern Israel.

The airstrike on Dahieh, a densely populated Hezbollah stronghold, was Israel's first in the area since November last year and marked a sharp escalation despite the fragile ceasefire. Lebanese officials said six people were killed and 21 wounded in the strikes.

Israel said the airstrikes were in response to rocket fire from Hezbollah, but the Shiite militant group denied involvement.

A U.S.- and French-brokered truce between Hezbollah and Israel has been in place since Nov. 27, 2024, halting more than a year of cross-border hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict.

Despite the agreement, Israel has continued to strike targets in Lebanon, citing security threats from Hezbollah. The Israeli military also remains at five border positions, missing a Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)