Hezbollah rejects internal discord, will not fight Lebanese army, says top official

Head of the Executive Council of Hezbollah, Sheikh Ali Damoush, says the resistance movement will not be drawn into confrontation with the Lebanese Army and will not allow internal discord, emphasizing that any attempts to provoke division in the country are doomed to fail.

Speaking during Friday prayers at the Sayyeda Zainab Mosque in Beirut’s southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, Sheikh Damoush repudiated earlier assertions associating the Lebanese Army’s actions south of the Litani River with the cessation of Israeli aggression and retreat from occupied positions.

The senior Hezbollah official noted that the army has advanced in its operations and is approaching the conclusion of what is referred to as the “first phase,” while Israeli attacks persist and no withdrawal has occurred.

He added that the Israeli military has intensified its acts of aggression, displaying a complete disregard for the measures of the Lebanese army.

Sheikh Damoush also took a swipe at what he termed a serious mistake by the Lebanese authorities in separating their commitments under the ceasefire agreement from those expected of Israel.

He argued that such an approach has created an impression of Lebanon unilaterally adhering to the deal.

The high-ranking Hezbollah official emphasized that the measures outlined for the area south of the Litani are mutual, stressing that if Lebanon has honored its obligations, Israel must also comply.

Sheikh Damoush emphasized that the first phase cannot be deemed complete until Israel withdraws from occupied Lebanese territories, ceases its attacks, permits residents to return, and facilitates reconstruction efforts.

He stated that sovereignty cannot be attained solely through military deployment as long as Israel continues its occupation, acts of aggression, and violations of Lebanon’s land, sea, and airspace.

Sheikh Damoush underlined that a recurring pattern of concessions continues, even in the face of ongoing aggression and the blatant disregard shown by both Israeli and American sides toward the measures undertaken by Lebanese officials.

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He argued that those pushing for a transition to a so-called second phase should focus on urging Israel to fulfill its commitments and on compelling the United States to end its aggression, rather than yielding to American demands and giving unwarranted concessions.

The ongoing escalation, which includes strikes, assassinations, political pressure, economic and financial strangulations, as well as internal provocations, is designed to push Lebanon and its army toward internal conflict and a confrontation with the Resistance, Sheikh Damoush said.

He noted that the ultimate goal is to compel Hezbollah to either withdraw or capitulate.

These objectives, he stated, are being pursued by Americans, Israelis, and their proxies in Lebanon through all available means.

Sheikh Damoush underscored that they must understand Hezbollah will neither confront the army, incite internal strife, nor yield or back down.

He stressed that reliance on efforts to pressure the Lebanese government, military, or society into confronting Hezbollah is a desperate gamble, demonstrating its failure day after day.

On December 18, representatives from France, Saudi Arabia, and the United States met in Paris with the head of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to deliberate and agree on a roadmap designed to create a framework for disarming Hezbollah.

The resistance group maintains it will not lay down its arms as long as Israel continues to occupy southern Lebanon and launches attacks in the area.

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