Overview
- Hezbollah Secretary‑General Naim Qassem said Israeli strikes on Lebanon “cannot continue” and vowed the group will not give up its weapons during a televised Martyrs’ Day address from an underground location.
- Qassem asserted the 2024 truce applies only south of the Litani River and urged Lebanese authorities to secure Israel’s withdrawal from five border outposts he said remain occupied.
- The Israeli military said Hezbollah is operating south of the Litani in violation of the ceasefire and attempting to smuggle weapons from Syria and other routes, adding that Israel is striking targets in that area.
- Lebanon’s cabinet has instructed the army to present a disarmament plan by the end of 2025; security officials told Reuters the army will not search private homes but believes it can declare the south free of Hezbollah arms by then.
- Hezbollah denies rebuilding forces in the south and says it has observed the ceasefire, while US Treasury officials say Iran has transferred over $1 billion to the group since January and are pressing Lebanon to halt that funding.