A Lebanese legislator from Hezbollah’s political wing has strongly criticized the recently signed framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, saying the deal undermines the Arab country’s sovereignty.
Hassan Ezzedine, a member of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, made the remarks at a Hezbollah-organized rally in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Saturday, stressing that Lebanon would “never become a US protectorate or an Israeli settlement,” reaffirming that the resistance movement will continue to defend the country’s territorial integrity.
Ezzeddine described the framework agreement as an “agreement of humiliation and disgrace,” arguing that it fails to protect Lebanon’s national interests and overlooks Israeli violations during years of conflict.
“The resistance remains the only option for defending Lebanon’s sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity,” he said, according to remarks carried by al-Manar television network.
The lawmaker further accused the Lebanese government of making concessions by entering direct negotiations with Israel, warning that the approach would not achieve lasting security or safeguard the country’s independence.
He also argued that the agreement does not require a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, instead referring to the redeployment of Israeli forces.
According to Ezzeddine, Israel has linked a full withdrawal to the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah’s disarmament, a condition he rejected.
Ezzeddine also insisted that no authority has the right to strip the resistance of its weapons, saying Hezbollah views its armed capabilities as a legitimate means of defending Lebanon against external threats.
Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement on June 26, mediated by the United States, which outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied territories in Lebanon, starting with a pilot model in two zones that have not been publicly revealed.
The agreement does not establish a timeline for the withdrawal, tying its completion to the Lebanese army taking full security responsibility in the areas that have been evacuated and the disarmament of armed groups, specifically referring to Hezbollah.
According to official Lebanese statistics, Israeli assaults in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least 4,324, injured 12,223 others, and displaced more than 1 million individuals since March 2.
Israel maintains its occupation of regions in southern Lebanon, with some territories held for many years and others usurped during the onslaught of 2023-24.
