Hezbollah Leader Rejects Disarmament, Vows Resistance Amid Collapsing Ceasefire
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has firmly rejected disarmament, declaring the group’s arsenal an internal Lebanese matter excluded from upcoming US-mediated negotiations in Washington. Despite a fragile ceasefire, violence has escalated with Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah retaliatory attacks causing hundreds of deaths. Qassem criticized direct Lebanon-Israel talks as concessions, vowing to make southern Lebanon a "living hell" for Israeli forces. This defiant stance threatens to collapse diplomatic efforts, highlighting deep divisions over state authority and military presence as regional tensions intensify amidst ongoing cross-border hostilities.
Editorial summary awaiting refresh
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Lebanese Speaker Berri Slams U.S.-Brokered Lebanon-Israel Deal, Warns of Internal Divisions
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally, denounced a U.S.-brokered agreement between Lebanon and Israel, calling it 'diktats' and warning it could incite internal divisions. The deal, signed by ambassadors in Washington on June 26, 2026, envisions Lebanon's army taking over territory in phases after Hezbollah disarmament, allowing Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanon. Berri insists that only Iran-U.S. talks can secure Israeli withdrawal. Hezbollah rejects the deal as surrender. The war began on March 2 after Hezbollah fired on Israel following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The Lebanon conflict is central to broader U.S.-Iran diplomacy, with Iran demanding a Lebanon ceasefire as part of any interim deal. Israel says it will maintain its occupation until Hezbollah disarms, while the U.S.-Iran interim agreement requires all sides to end military operations.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Israel destroys Hezbollah underground infrastructure in southern Lebanon
On June 29, 2026, the Israeli military destroyed a 200-meter-long Hezbollah tunnel in the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Zoun, containing hundreds of weapons and launchers. The United States was informed ahead of the attack. This action occurred hours after Israeli strikes on Hezbollah militants in the Nabatieh area and follows a U.S.-brokered security agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal but allows Israel to remain in an expanded security zone. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the agreement, calling it a surrender, and vowed continued armed resistance. The conflict has displaced over a million Lebanese and runs parallel to the wider Iran war.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Israel-Lebanon 14-Point Agreement Fails to Halt Fighting as Hezbollah Rejects Deal
A 14-point framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, brokered in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has failed to ease tensions. The agreement ties Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon to the disarmament of Hezbollah, a condition the militia rejects as 'null and void'. Hezbollah supporters protested in Beirut, burning photos of the prime minister. Israel's military continues daily attacks and occupation, with only two 'pilot zones' designated for withdrawal. The deal echoes a similar 2024 agreement that stalled. Meanwhile, the Iran-USA ceasefire collapsed, with Iran attacking an oil tanker and the US striking targets in Iran, followed by Iranian strikes on US facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed three people, and an Israeli soldier died in combat. The Lebanese population remains divided between those opposing Hezbollah's influence and those viewing the agreement as legitimizing Israeli occupation.
taz.de - taz.deIsrael Strikes South Lebanon Despite Framework Agreement to End Hostilities
On June 28, 2026, Israel renewed airstrikes on southern Lebanon, two days after a U.S.-brokered framework agreement was signed in Washington (June 26) between Israel and Lebanon to end hostilities. The deal, described as 'historic' by Israeli PM Netanyahu, makes any Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory conditional on the verified disarmament of Hezbollah by the Lebanese military. Hezbollah, which strongly opposes the agreement, has declared it 'null and void' and warned of internal conflict. The Israeli military reported a soldier killed in combat and confirmed continued operations in its self-proclaimed 'security zone'. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun assured U.S. President Trump on June 27 that Lebanon would implement the deal, while Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused the authorities of pushing the country toward internal strife. The conflict began in March 2026 when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader, triggering Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Lebanon’s Deal with Israel Requires Hezbollah Disarmament; Reactions Divided
A recent agreement between Lebanon and Israel mandates the disarmament of Hezbollah, a key militant group and political party. The deal has sparked deep divisions in Lebanon, fueling protests in Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the agreement, while Hezbollah formally rejected it, continuing attacks in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun reportedly spoke with former President Donald Trump, requesting US pressure on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Multiple news outlets, including AP News, The New York Times, France 24, Al Jazeera, and The Times of Israel, are covering the multifaceted fallout, highlighting the geopolitical tensions and the challenge of enforcing disarmament.
Top stories - Google NewsHezbollah chief calls U.S.-Israel-Lebanon deal 'grave blunder', deems it null and void
On June 27, 2026, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem sharply condemned the U.S.-Israel-Lebanon framework agreement signed in Washington the previous day, calling it a 'grave blunder' and declaring it null and void. The agreement includes a pilot program for Lebanese soldiers to take control of two Israeli-occupied areas and a process to disarm Hezbollah. Qassem described the deal as 'humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty,' and urged the Lebanese government to withdraw from what he called 'sins that are ruining Lebanon.' He accused Lebanese authorities of legitimizing the continuation of Israeli occupation. The agreement was reached after five rounds of talks amid the broader West Asian war, which escalated after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in March 2026 following the killing of Iran's supreme leader. While Lebanese President Joseph Aoun viewed the deal as a first step toward restoring sovereignty, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated his forces would remain in occupied Lebanese territory until Hezbollah is disarmed. Hezbollah insists that the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding should be implemented instead.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Netanyahu says Israel to remain in south Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on June 27, 2026, that Israel will maintain its presence in a security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms. The statement followed the announcement of a trilateral framework agreement with the United States and Lebanon, resulting from five rounds of talks in Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as a framework for lasting peace. Netanyahu said the Israeli military would allow the Lebanese army to take control in two pilot areas, one south and one north of the Litani River. However, Lebanese civilians displaced from the security zone will not be permitted to return. The conflict began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel following the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel's subsequent invasion has killed over 4,200 people in Lebanon, according to local officials. A truce in April failed, but a new ceasefire was declared this month, linked to a broader US-Iran agreement to end the wider conflict.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.What is the Israel-Lebanon Framework Agreement? Everything to Know
The U.S. State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, brokered a landmark framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, signed in Washington on June 26, 2026. The agreement aims to lay the groundwork for peace by addressing security, territorial disputes, and humanitarian needs. It outlines a strategy to dismantle Hezbollah and enable Lebanon to reclaim territory occupied by Israeli forces during recent conflicts. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the IDF would continue occupying southern Lebanon if Hezbollah does not disarm, but agreed to withdraw from two 'pilot zones.' The U.S. will facilitate a Military Coordination Group and provide $100 million in humanitarian aid. The agreement does not include Hezbollah, drawing warnings of civil war from the group. It is separate from the U.S.-Iran interim deal reached last week. The conflict began on March 2, 2026, when Hezbollah attacked Israel, leading to over 4,000 casualties in Lebanon and widespread displacement.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Israel and Lebanon Sign U.S.-Brokered Framework Agreement as First Step Toward Peace
On June 26, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the signing of a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, D.C. The agreement, signed by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, is described as an initial step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The framework establishes a process for dismantling Hezbollah and for Lebanon to regain territory taken by Israeli forces. The U.S. State Department announced the creation of a 'Military Coordination Group for Lebanon' to implement the deal and committed $100 million in humanitarian assistance. A Hezbollah official warned the agreement could lead to civil war. The talks are separate from a U.S.-Iran interim deal signed the previous week. The conflict began after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following the U.S.-Israel war on Iran on February 28. Over 4,000 Lebanese and 37 Israeli soldiers have been killed.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Israel, Lebanon, and US Sign Framework Agreement; Netanyahu Calls It Defeat for Iran
Israel, Lebanon, and the United States have signed a framework agreement aimed at paving the way for lasting peace between Israel and Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the agreement, calling it a severe defeat for Iran and emphasizing that Israel will maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the agreement in Washington, describing it as a first step toward lasting peace. The Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, which has been engaged in war with Israel since early March, was not involved in the talks and rejects the agreement. The signing follows five rounds of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, the first in decades. The US has also signed a separate framework agreement with Iran to end the broader Iran war, with final negotiations expected within 60 days.
Nachrichten - WELTRubio Announces Israel-Lebanon Framework Agreement for Lasting Peace, Conditional on Hezbollah Ceasefire
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on June 26, 2026, that Israel and Lebanon have reached a U.S.-mediated framework agreement aimed at achieving 'lasting peace and security.' The agreement calls for a ceasefire between the two nations, contingent on a complete cessation of fire by the paramilitary group Hezbollah and the evacuation of its operatives from the South Litani Sector in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah was not a party to the agreement, and it is unclear whether the group will comply. The State Department stated that the sides agreed to swiftly create pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces will have exclusive control, excluding all non-state actors. The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is considered crucial for a lasting peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, which sponsors Hezbollah. The U.S. and Iran have already signed a memorandum of understanding to pause their ongoing conflict for at least 60 days while peace talks proceed.
US Top News and AnalysisRubio Announces US-Mediated Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Framework Contingent on Hezbollah Compliance
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on June 26, 2026, that Israel and Lebanon have reached a US-mediated framework agreement aimed at achieving "lasting peace and security." The agreement calls for a ceasefire between the two nations, contingent on a complete cessation of fire by the paramilitary group Hezbollah and the evacuation of all its operatives from the South Litani Sector in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah was not a party to the agreement, and it remains unclear whether the group will comply. The State Department stated that both sides agreed to create pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces will have exclusive control, excluding all non-state actors. An end to Israel-Lebanon hostilities is seen as crucial for a broader peace deal between the US and Iran, which sponsors Hezbollah. The US and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February, and a 60-day pause is currently in effect while peace talks proceed.
US Top News and AnalysisHezbollah chief says Israel must 'unconditionally' leave Lebanon
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared on June 26, 2026, that Israel has 'no option' but to withdraw unconditionally from all occupied Lebanese territory. Speaking during Ashoura commemorations in Beirut's southern suburbs, Qassem rejected any normalisation with Israel and framed the Iran-U.S. deal as an American-Israeli defeat. His remarks came as Lebanon and Israel held their fifth round of talks in Washington, amid ongoing violence that began on March 2 when Hezbollah attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. Lebanese authorities reported six deaths from Israeli attacks this week. A ceasefire declared earlier in June has failed to halt fighting. Qassem thanked Iran for its support and vowed no cancellation of the state of hostility. The speech occurred during the largest Hezbollah gathering since the war began, with tens of thousands of supporters waving Hezbollah and Iranian flags.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Israeli Ambassador Blasts Lebanon Cease-Fire Talks as ‘Train Wreck’
Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter sharply criticized the latest round of US-mediated Israel-Lebanon peace talks, calling them a 'train wreck' and questioning whether dismantling Hezbollah remains a central objective. Leiter expressed concern that a US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed by President Trump, which calls for an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, was negotiated without Israeli involvement. He compared the deconfliction mechanism to 'a wedding without the groom or the bride.' Five IDF soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon within two days of the ceasefire announcement, though fighting has largely stopped under a fragile truce. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the Lebanon-Israel track remains separate from broader US-Iran negotiations but acknowledged Iran's role via Hezbollah. Leiter warned Hezbollah may interpret the diplomatic developments as a sign that pressure is easing.
Hoover InstitutionIsrael and Hezbollah agree on Lebanon ceasefire: U.S. official
A U.S. official announced that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon, beginning at 4 p.m. local time on June 19, 2026. The truce was mediated by the U.S. and Qatar following talks with Israel and Iran. The ceasefire comes amid the broader West Asia war, which involves a U.S.-Iran deal to end hostilities. The agreement faced immediate strain from deadly exchanges in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump has shown frustration with Israel, calling for a complete ceasefire and criticizing the high civilian death toll from Israeli strikes. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance also rebuked hardline Israeli ministers for opposing the Iran deal. Trump separately dismissed Iranian claims that the U.S. sought the deal out of desperation, asserting that Iran was the desperate party.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Cancelled U.S.-Iran Talks and Israeli Defiance Threaten Trump's Middle East Deal
A planned U.S.-Iran meeting in Switzerland was cancelled as renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon killed 22 people, casting doubt on the interim agreement between Washington and Tehran. Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly rejected the deal, calling it non-binding and demanding the dismantling of Hezbollah rather than a ceasefire. A senior Hezbollah lawmaker stated that Iran told the group talks could not continue without a comprehensive ceasefire. Vice President JD Vance warned Israel against undermining its primary ally, reminding them that American tax dollars fund two-thirds of Israel's defensive weapons. The crisis highlights growing tension between Prime Minister Netanyahu's demand for 'total victory' and President Trump's push for a more permanent peace accord, with both sides appearing at odds over the terms and timing of negotiations.
Reason.comFrench Minister Urges Israel to Halt Lebanon Hostilities and U.S. to Pressure Israel
On June 19, 2026, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called on Israel to cease hostilities in Lebanon and urged the United States to pressure Israel to comply. The statement came after Israel's military struck targets across southern Lebanon overnight, with Hezbollah reporting intense clashes. Lebanon's state news agency reported at least 16 deaths from Israeli airstrikes. The escalating violence threatens a newly signed U.S.-Iran agreement that mandates an immediate halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and guarantees Lebanon's sovereignty. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing elections, has refused to withdraw, insisting on eliminating the Hezbollah threat. Barrot also mentioned France's ongoing efforts to organize an international conference to support the Lebanese army.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.US: Israel and Hezbollah Agree to Ceasefire; Heavy Clashes Continue
According to a high-ranking US government official, Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia have agreed to a ceasefire effective Friday at 4:00 PM local time. The deal was mediated by the US and Qatar with support from Iran. However, heavy mutual attacks continued on Friday after the agreement was announced, with Lebanon reporting at least 21 dead from Israeli strikes and Israel reporting four soldiers killed by Hezbollah fire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the attacks undermine peace efforts. Israeli PM Netanyahu warned Hezbollah will pay a 'very high price' and vowed to keep troops in a security zone in southern Lebanon. Far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for 'all of Lebanon to burn'. Separately, Iran announced new ship registration requirements in the Strait of Hormuz, and its chief negotiator reiterated Tehran's red lines in peace talks with the US.
taz.de - taz.deUS Reports Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hezbollah
According to US officials, Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire set to take effect on Friday at 4:00 PM local time, brokered by mediators from the US and Qatar with support from Iran. The agreement came after heavy mutual attacks that threatened a recent framework agreement to end the Iran war. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported at least 21 deaths from Israeli strikes, while Israel reported four soldiers killed by Hezbollah fire. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned the militia would pay a 'very high price' and that the army would remain in a security zone in southern Lebanon. Far-right Minister Ben Gvir called for all of Lebanon to burn. Separately, Iran demanded registration of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, interpreted as a signal of future fees, and Iran's lead negotiator cited 'red lines' in talks with the US.
taz.de - taz.deIsrael's President Herzog Sends Peace Message to Lebanon in Arabic
Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a peace message in Arabic to the Lebanese people, calling on them to free themselves from the influence of Iran and the Hezbollah militia. He expressed a dream of visiting Beirut, contingent on Lebanon determining its own future rather than being directed from Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the sentiment, stating that Israel is at war with Hezbollah, not Lebanon, and claimed nearly 10,000 Hezbollah fighters have been eliminated. Despite a declared ceasefire, mutual attacks continue, with Israeli troops still present in Lebanon and advancing further. Talks between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington for a permanent ceasefire have not yet yielded a breakthrough. Lebanon and Israel have no diplomatic relations and have not signed a peace agreement, though direct political talks resumed in April for the first time since 1983.
Nachrichten - WELT