The response to the recent Israeli raids in Beirut will be attacks on “downtown Tel Aviv“. This is the threat from Hezbollah leader, Naim Qassem, in light of the bombings that in recent days killed members of the pro-Iranian Shiite group, including spokesman Mohammed Afif.
Hezbollah has also made it known that it will not accept any ceasefire agreement that violates Lebanon‘s “sovereignty”. “Israel cannot impose its conditions on us,” Qassem said in the pre-recorded speech, calling for “a total end to aggression and the defense of Lebanon’s sovereignty.” “The Israeli enemy cannot enter Lebanese territory whenever he wants” in the event of a ceasefire, he added, indirectly responding to the words of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, according to whom a truce cannot ignore “freedom of action” for Israel towards Hezbollah.
«We have received the negotiating document, we have studied it carefully and we have made some observations on the matter – underlined Qassem in his third public speech since becoming leader of Hezbollah on 29 October, referring to the American proposal -. The President of Parliament, Nabih Berri, also expressed his comments, which are in line with ours.” Qassem explained that he “negotiated on the basis of two principles, the first, a complete and total ceasefire, and the second, the preservation of Lebanese sovereignty.”
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What are Hezbollah’s demands in relation to a ceasefire agreement?
## Interview: Hezbollah’s Response to Israeli Raids
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing the escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel following recent Israeli raids in Beirut. Joining us is Dr. [Guest Name], an expert in Middle Eastern politics and security.
Dr. [Guest Name], Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has issued a direct threat against Tel Aviv, promising a response to the killings of Hezbollah members including spokesman Mohammed Afif. Can you give us some context to this situation?
**Guest:** Absolutely. The recent raids mark a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah’s response, threatening attacks on ”downtown Tel Aviv”, is a clear sign of their determination to retaliate forcefully. This threat comes in the context of a broader power struggle for influence in the region.
**Host:** Qassem also stated Hezbollah wouldn’t accept a ceasefire agreement that violates Lebanon’s sovereignty. What are his demands, and how does this impact the possibility of a truce?
**Guest:** Hezbollah has made it clear that they see Israeli actions as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. They refuse to accept any agreement that allows Israel to continue what they perceive as unprovoked aggression. This stance makes finding a mutually acceptable ceasefire extremely challenging, as it directly challenges Israel’s stated security concerns.
**Host:**
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar insists a truce cannot ignore “freedom of action” for Israel towards Hezbollah. This seems to be a direct clash of positions. Can you elaborate on this difficult situation?
**Guest:** You’re right, there’s a fundamental clash of demands here. Israel wants the ability to act against what they deem as threats from Hezbollah, while Hezbollah demands an end to what they perceive as Israeli aggression and a respect for Lebanese sovereignty. This fundamental disagreement makes finding a lasting solution extremely difficult.
**Host:** Given the history of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as highlighted in Al Jazeera’s timeline [[1](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/18/hezbollah-and-israel-a-timeline-of-conflict)], what are the potential consequences of this escalated tension?
**Guest:** The history of this conflict is sadly marked by violence and destruction.
Without a willingness to compromise from both sides, we risk seeing a further escalation of violence, potentially drawing in other regional players.
This could have devastating consequences for civilians on both sides.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. [Guest Name], for shedding light on this complex and concerning situation. We’ll continue to follow developments closely.
