Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters took to the streets across Lebanon on Saturday evening in response to the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement. Clashes erupted in Beirut between activists and Lebanese security forces. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared the deal "void" and called for its cancellation.
Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters launched protests across Lebanon on Saturday evening following Secretary-General Naim Qassem's announcement rejecting the recently signed Israel-Lebanon framework agreement. According to reports, clashes broke out in Beirut between activists and Lebanese security forces. Qassem, speaking on Saturday, declared the accord 'void' and demanded its cancellation.
This is the latest in a series of protests and statements by Hezbollah opposing the diplomatic framework. As The Zioneer reported earlier Saturday (20:34 Jerusalem), Hezbollah supporters had already taken to the streets after Qassem's initial rejection. The demonstrations have included confrontations with the Lebanese army in central Beirut, as reported on Saturday at 00:43. Qassem's position has been consistent: he has repeatedly rejected any ceasefire or framework deal, vowing that resistance will continue until a full Israeli withdrawal, without conditions or operational freedom for the IDF in Lebanon. The group has also threatened that any violation of the emerging agreement would lead to 'destruction of Zionist forces in Lebanon,' as The Zioneer reported on June 16.
The current protests mark a public escalation of Hezbollah's opposition, which has included senior figures calling for the application of US-Iran understandings in place of the Israel-Lebanon deal. It remains unclear how the Lebanese government and the army will respond to the growing unrest.
5 developments
- DevelopingHezbollah supporters block Beirut government district, airport road in renewed protest
- DevelopingHezbollah supporters block Dahieh bridge again in renewed protest of Lebanon-Israel deal
- StrongLebanese army uses batons, tear gas to disperse Hezbollah protesters blocking roads
- StrongVideo shows armed Hezbollah operative at Beirut protests
Source and signal
- Internal intake