Lebanon’s Grand Shia Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan has warned regional states about US and Israeli plots, saying Washington and the Tel Aviv regime are pursuing a policy to weaken and divide countries in the West Asia region.

“Negotiation with the Israeli enemy will not yield any results, whilst reliance on the United States will only bring about destruction,” Sheikh Qaban stated on Friday evening.

He went on to address Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, stressing that Lebanon will not prosper without national solidarity, full adherence to the National Pact and Constitution, and complete agreement on national defense matters.

“Just bear in mind that Israel is a dangerous, treacherous and terrorist regime,” the prominent Lebanese Shia cleric noted.

Sheikh Qabalan added that Israel has traditionally taken an aggressive military stance and is familiar only with the language of force, emphasizing that the sole promising method for Lebanon to confront the Zionist enemy is through fostering internal unity.

No change in Israel’s aggressive policies with Netanyahu’s cabinet replacement, says senior Hezbollah official

The head of the executive council of Hezbollah says there will be no change in Israel’s aggressive policies with the replacement of Netanyahu’s cabinet.

“It has been proven that the criminal and terrorist regime does not honor any commitment. It has long been terrified of the resistance front. Negotiations with the Zionist enemy will not produce any results, and are not in Lebanon’s national interest at all,” he said.

Experience has also shown that US statesmen seek absolute obedience from other world officials, and any trust in them will bring about nothing but destruction, Sheikh Qabalan stated.

Hezbollah launched military operations against Israel on March 2 in response to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, repeated Israeli violations of the 2024 ceasefire, and Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese territory in the south.

Since then, despite months of negotiations, Israel has continued its military offensive against Lebanon.

A US-mediated agreement concluded on June 26 between Lebanon and Israel stipulates a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese land, in return for the deployment of the Lebanese military and the disarmament of resistance groups. 

However, despite this agreement, Israeli assaults on Lebanon have persisted, resulting in the deaths of at least 4,386 individuals and injuring 12,407 others since March 2, while also displacing over 1 million people. 

Israel continues to occupy regions in southern Lebanon, with some territories held for many years and others taken during the 2023-2024 war, as Israeli troops pushed approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory in the course of recent hostilities.