BEIRUT — Hezbollah rejected a U.S.-brokered security agreement between Israel and Lebanon, the Iran-backed group said on Saturday, heightening tensions along the border.
The Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim group, which was not a party to the negotiations, issued the rejection a day after the agreement was reached in Washington. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem described the deal as a surrender to Israel and declared it null and void.
Lebanese and Israeli officials signed the framework following U.S.-mediated talks aimed at establishing lasting peace and security arrangements, including a ceasefire and provisions for Hezbollah to withdraw fighters from southern Lebanon, officials said. Israel has indicated it would not withdraw its forces from the area.
Hezbollah has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory as a condition for any cessation of hostilities. The group has continued to accuse Israel of ongoing violations in southern Lebanon.
No immediate casualties were reported from new incidents on Saturday following the rejection. Lebanese authorities and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, have not issued updated assessments of the situation on the ground. Israeli military officials said operations in the south would continue as needed.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides exchanging accusations over ceasefire terms. Further details on implementation or next steps were not immediately available.
