Hezbollah Warns Truce Not One-Sided, Threatens Retaliation Over Israeli Strikes

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has warned that the current ceasefire with Israel cannot be unilateral, pledging that the group will respond to any violations by Israeli forces.

Speaking in a televised statement, Qassem said: “A ceasefire means a complete cessation of all hostilities… the resistance fighters will remain in the field with their hands on the trigger, and they will respond to violations accordingly.”

“There is no ceasefire from the side of the resistance only, it must be from both sides,” he stressed.

The comments come as the 10-day truce, which began Thursday night, holds amid heightened tensions. The ceasefire terms were shared by the US State Department.

Qassem criticised Washington’s involvement, saying it was “an insult to our country and our homeland, Lebanon, that America dictates its text and speaks on behalf of the Lebanese government”.

The ceasefire was reached after Lebanese and Israeli diplomats met in Washington, paving the way for potential direct negotiations between the two countries for the first time in decades.

“Enough of subjecting Lebanon to these humiliations… and by the shameful spectacle in Washington,” Qassem said.

Hezbollah entered the conflict on March 2 by attacking Israel, leading to retaliatory airstrikes and a ground incursion in southern Lebanon.

Qassem thanked Iran for its backing, saying it had provided “support and assistance” and had kept the Strait of Hormuz closed until the truce.

Iran later announced the closure of the strategic waterway again on Saturday, citing a US blockade.

Amid calls from the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, Qassem signalled willingness to cooperate, stating the group is “open to the fullest cooperation with the Lebanese authorities… within a national security strategy”.

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