Israeli soldiers patrol along the Israel-Lebanon border on April 16, 2026. The US President announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday, though there was no indication if Iran-backed Hezbollah was on board. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) /
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday declared his country’s agreement with Lebanon “a blow to Iran and Hezbollah”, while the militant group’s leader Naim Qassem declared it void.
The agreement, which was signed in Washington on Friday after five rounds of talks and aims to pave the way to peace between the neighbours, includes plans to disarm Hezbollah.
Qassem called the agreement “humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty” and warned that it could lead to the Israeli annexation of southern Lebanon.
“This agreement is null and void, and the provisions of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding must be implemented,” he said, referring to the deal between the two powers to end the broader Middle East war, which includes a ceasefire in Lebanon.
