Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has pledged to work closely with the Lebanese army to enforce the ceasefire agreement with Israel, marking the third day of the fragile truce following over a year of intense conflict.
Speaking in his first televised address since the ceasefire began, Qassem emphasized high-level coordination to implement the agreement’s terms while maintaining readiness for any renewed hostilities.
Qassem assured that Hezbollah and the Lebanese army would avoid conflicts over the ceasefire implementation, which includes the army's deployment to southern Lebanon within 60 days as both Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters withdraw. “The resistance and the army will collaborate to strengthen Lebanon’s defensive capabilities and prevent the enemy from exploiting any vulnerabilities,” he said.
The Lebanese army has already dispatched troops to the south and is preparing a detailed deployment plan to present to the cabinet, security officials confirmed. However, delays in the Israeli withdrawal could postpone the larger army deployment, reported Al Jazeera.
Tensions remain high as both Hezbollah and the Lebanese army have accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire. Recent violations include an Israeli airstrike north of the Litani River and gunfire targeting civilians attempting to bury a body in the Khiam area.
Israeli warplanes launched strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday, claiming to target Hezbollah weapons. Meanwhile, Israeli forces stationed in southern villages have reportedly fired artillery and tank shells, drawing further accusations of ceasefire violations.
The Israeli military, for its part, has restricted civilian movement along the border and issued warnings to evacuate numerous villages, including 20 that have not been involved in previous clashes.
Qassem characterized the ceasefire as a “divine victory” for Hezbollah, claiming it surpassed the significance of their 2006 conflict with Israel. While acknowledging significant casualties and displacement, he asserted that Israeli forces suffered heavy losses and failed to achieve their objectives.
“To those betting on Hezbollah’s weakness, their expectations have been proven wrong,” Qassem said, reiterating the group’s continued support for Palestinians in Gaza amidst ongoing Israeli operations.
Since the conflict's onset in October 2023, Lebanese health authorities report 3,961 deaths and 16,520 injuries in Lebanon. The Israeli military claims to have killed 2,500 Hezbollah members and carried out over 100 ground operations, striking more than 12,500 Hezbollah targets, including command centers and weapons depots.