Beirut, 27 June (H.S.):

Hezbollah has outright rejected the US-mediated Lebanon-Israel security agreement, describing it as an act of surrender to Israel. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared the agreement completely unacceptable and invalid.

The agreement, reached on June 26, provides for the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in those areas. However, it also allows Israeli troops to remain temporarily within an expanded security zone during the implementation period.

In a statement, Naim Qassem said the agreement undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and accused the Lebanese government of making unilateral concessions. He particularly objected to provisions linking Israel's withdrawal to the disarmament of Hezbollah.

The Hezbollah chief asserted that the group would continue its armed resistance and would not retreat despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict. According to him, no compromise would be accepted on issues concerning Lebanon's security and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated once again in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon's state news agency, a drone strike targeted the Nabatieh al-Fawqa area. The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, stating that it had targeted an individual who posed a threat to its forces. However, it did not release additional details to support its claim.

Hezbollah also maintained that the assurances regarding Lebanon's territorial integrity and security, which it said were included in the agreement reached between Iran and the United States earlier in June, should serve as the foundation for any future peace process involving Lebanon.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar