Hezbollah MP Ali Fayad. (Credit: File photo)
Hezbollah MP Ali Fayad justified his party's actions against Israel on Sunday by invoking the Lebanese people's right to self-defense, as violations continue to mar the cease-fire between the party and the Israeli army, which has been in place since Nov. 27. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus was set to conclude her visit to Lebanon later in the day.
"We act with the objective of protecting our people, liberating the land, and defending Lebanese sovereignty. On this basis, we have committed to respecting what the Lebanese government has adopted regarding UN Resolution 1701 [from 2006, which ended the previous war between Israel and Hezbollah] and the cease-fire," the parliamentarian said during a ceremony honoring the victims who fell under Israeli airstrikes in Robb Thalathin, in the Marjayoun district, in southern Lebanon.
"Nothing can deprive the Lebanese of their legitimate right to defend themselves," he added, according to a statement. "There is only one way, and no other, to restore stability: the withdrawal of the enemy from the five hills [referring to strategic sites it occupies], the release of Lebanese prisoners, the cessation of hostilities in all their forms, and the respect for Lebanese sovereignty, in accordance with Resolution 1701," Mr. Fayad continued.
He concluded by emphasizing that the continuation of Israeli attacks would only deepen "the legitimacy and will of the Lebanese people's resistance" and bring things back to square one.
