In rare interview, top Hezbollah leader rejects disarmament, calls for Israeli withdrawal

Key Concepts

• Hezbollah: A Lebanon-based militant group and political organization backed by Iran.
• Ceasefire Violations: Mutual accusations of breaching the current truce through military strikes, infrastructure destruction, and drone activity.
• Disarmament: The contentious demand for Hezbollah to relinquish its weapons, particularly south of the Litani River.
• Buffer Zone: An Israeli-occupied area in southern Lebanon intended to protect northern Israeli residents.
• Strategic Deterrence: Hezbollah’s justification for its military actions as a means to prevent Israeli aggression.
• Collateral Damage: The term used by Hezbollah to describe civilian casualties resulting from their military operations.

1. Current Status of the Conflict and Ceasefire

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for an attack on an Israeli army position in northern Israel, marking the first such claim since the current truce began. This action was framed by the group as a retaliatory measure against Israeli ceasefire violations, which include the bulldozing of houses, bombardment of villages, and the killing of civilians.

• Diplomatic Context: Representatives from Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to meet in Washington for peace talks. Notably, Hezbollah is excluded from these negotiations, despite the full disarmament of the group being a primary agenda item.
• Hezbollah’s Stance: Wafiq Safa, a senior official in Hezbollah’s political wing, explicitly stated that the group will never surrender its weapons, viewing them as essential for the defense of Lebanon.

2. Strategic Perspectives and Justifications

Wafiq Safa provided insights into the group’s decision-making process regarding the war:

• The "Delusion" of Diplomacy: Safa argued that the belief in diplomatic solutions is a "delusion" because Israel never ceased its military operations. He claimed that Hezbollah’s decision to re-enter the war was a calculated move to defend Lebanon and deter further Israeli aggression.
• Relationship with Iran: Safa acknowledged a "permanent alliance" with Iran, noting that both parties benefited from the timing of Hezbollah’s military actions, which coincided with Israel being occupied by its conflict with Iran. He denied that Hezbollah acts solely as an Iranian proxy, asserting that the decision to fight was made in the interest of Lebanon.
• Preemptive Action: Regarding the March 2 rocket fire, Safa claimed that Israel was already preparing for a war against them, and Hezbollah chose to strike first to avoid being caught off guard.

3. Disarmament and Military Capabilities

The report highlights a significant gap between international expectations and reality regarding Hezbollah’s military status:

• The Litani River Framework: Under a US and Israel-backed decree, Hezbollah was required to disarm south of the Litani River. While the Lebanese army confiscated some weapons, Safa admitted that the army did not know the full extent of their arsenal.
• Rehabilitation: Safa admitted that during the 15-month period leading up to the current conflict, Hezbollah actively worked to rehabilitate its military, political, and social capabilities.
• Current Positioning: Hezbollah maintains that it has the right to operate north of the Litani River and has vowed to resist the current Israeli "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, which they characterize as an illegal occupation.

4. Notable Quotes

• On Disarmament: "They will never give up all of their weapons." (Attributed to a top Hezbollah official).
• On Ceasefire Violations: "There can’t be a one-sided ceasefire from Hezbollah only." (Wafiq Safa).
• On Civilian Casualties: "Hezbollah’s ethics and religion prohibits it from killing civilians. But what happens when we fire at soldiers, there may be what is called collateral damage." (Wafiq Safa).
• On Future Demands: "As far as Hezbollah’s weapons are concerned, it’s out of discussion." (Wafiq Safa).

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The situation remains highly volatile. While diplomatic efforts are underway in Washington, the core issue—Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm—remains a major obstacle to a lasting peace. Hezbollah has hardened its position, bolstered by its alliance with Iran, and has signaled that it will continue to respond to what it perceives as Israeli provocations. With Israel establishing a permanent-looking "yellow line" (buffer zone) in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah vowing to resist any Israeli presence, the current truce is described as "tenuous" and "barely holding." The conflict has evolved into a stalemate where both sides are preparing for potential future escalation.