Overview

• In a televised speech, Naim Qassem called on Saudi Arabia to open a new page with Hezbollah and to build a common front against Israel.
• Qassem said the group’s arms are directed at Israel and not at Lebanon, Saudi Arabia or any other regional state.
• He argued that pressure on Hezbollah benefits Israel and urged dialogue that would freeze past disagreements for the current phase.
• Saudi Arabia and the GCC designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization in 2016, and ties deteriorated further in 2021 with diplomatic expulsions and an import ban.
• The appeal comes after an Israeli strike on Qatar earlier this month and as Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, with Israel continuing strikes in southern Lebanon and Riyadh yet to comment.