(FILES) Hezbollah supporters raise the party's yellow flags in Beirut's seaside Raouche area. AFP
In a message addressed to Lebanon’s president, prime minister, and parliament, Hezbollah warned that “negotiating with Israel is a trap and a predicament, and does not serve the country’s interests.”
The Lebanese group accused Israel of failing to abide by the ceasefire reached a year ago. “Lebanon is currently concerned with ending the aggression in accordance with the text of the ceasefire declaration and pressuring the enemy to commit to it, and is not concerned at all with succumbing to aggressive blackmail or being dragged into political negotiations with the Zionist enemy,” the statement said.
“We reaffirm our legitimate right to resist occupation and aggression and to stand alongside our army and our people to protect the sovereignty of our country,” it added.
Hezbollah also criticized the Lebanese government’s decision to limit weapons to the state, calling the move hasty and a grave mistake.
“The issue of exclusive weapons is not discussed in response to a foreign request or Israeli blackmail, but is addressed within a national framework where a comprehensive strategy for security, defence, and protection of national sovereignty is agreed upon,” it said.
The group added that all Lebanese should be aware that “the Israeli enemy does not target Hezbollah alone, but targets Lebanon in all its components, and seeks to strip Lebanon of any ability to reject the extortionist demands of the Zionist entity.”
Possible military attack
Hezbollah's statement came as senior Israeli officials said Thursday that the Israeli army is preparing for the possibility of a new round of fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon amid growing talk of forcing the group to disarm.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the army is preparing for a military intervention in Lebanon. “The Israeli army is preparing for a military intervention in Lebanon to weaken Hezbollah, and pushing it and the Lebanese government to sign a stable agreement with Israel,” an Israeli source told the channel.
The source added that the army is preparing for the possibility that it will soon be forced to participate in the fighting.
Senior Israeli officials, ahead of a security cabinet meeting, were quoted as saying, “There are already ready plans,” and stressing that “Hezbollah will not be allowed to strengthen its power and will not return to what it was on October 6. We will increase our attacks and return to fighting if necessary.”
Channel 12 also reported that tensions are expected to peak “within about a month,” citing intelligence assessments that Hezbollah continues to stockpile rockets, shells, artillery, and other combat equipment.
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