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Hezbollah Vows to Retain Weapons Amid Israeli Strikes Killing 14 in Lebanon
Hezbollah declared it would not disarm despite Israeli demands, following strikes that killed 14 people in Lebanon on Sunday. The fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire has seen continued violations from both sides. Diplomatic talks in Washington aim to extend the truce, but progress remains uncertain.
Apr 23, 4:22 PM·3m read8 sources
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Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed 14 people on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest days since a U.S.-backed ceasefire took effect on April 17. Lebanon's health ministry reported the deaths, including two women and two children, with 37 others wounded.
The Israeli military confirmed airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon, the first such action in the Beqaa Valley since the truce began. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated in a written announcement that the group would not relinquish its weapons or defenses.
This position directly counters Israel's demand for Hezbollah's disarmament as a condition for ending its operations in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the ceasefire, saying the violations are disintegrating the agreement.
Both sides have continued attacks despite the truce. Hezbollah has fired rockets and drones at Israeli communities, while Israeli forces have bombarded southern Lebanon and seized territory. An Israeli soldier was killed on Sunday, bringing the Israeli military death toll in the conflict to at least 16.
The ceasefire terms allow Israel to conduct defensive operations, which Israeli officials interpret as including razing border towns in seized areas. Lebanon's health ministry noted that Sunday's strikes occurred as the Israeli military warned residents to evacuate seven towns beyond the occupied buffer zone.
“Hezbollah’s violations are essentially disintegrating the cease-fire.”
Israeli officials held talks in Washington, mediated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to extend the 10-day ceasefire set to expire soon. This was the second round of discussions, following an initial meeting last week. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Beirut aims to extend the truce and halt Israeli demolitions in southern Lebanon.
