Hezbollah rejects Lebanon’s direct negotiations with Israel

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has called on Lebanon to abandon its scheduled direct negotiations with Israel in Washington. The meeting, planned to address ongoing border disputes, was intended to involve representatives from both countries. Qassem's rejection stems from Hezbollah's opposition to any normalization of relations with Israel. He believes direct talks legitimize Israel's presence and policies, and therefore undermine Lebanon's interests. The call adds further complexity to the already strained relationship between Lebanon and Israel, and casts doubt on the possibility of productive dialogue.