A Hezbollah flag planted on the ruins of a building bombed by Israel in Hermel, Bekaa, in November 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The deputy head of Hezbollah's political council, Mahmoud Qomati, told the state-run Russian news agency Sputnik that Israel's announcement about monitoring Hezbollah preparations to intervene in the war between Iran and Israel are just "false pretexts to justify [Israel's] ongoing aggression against Lebanon."
Despite a cease-fire agreement signed in November 2024, following more than 13 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter has been carrying out near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon and continues to occupy five areas within Lebanese territories.
Qomati stressed that Hezbollah cooperates with the Lebanese state to "prevent anyone from sabotaging the Lebanese situation and the Lebanese consensus, whether on the border or on anything else."
"We are suffering from an Israeli occupation ... and the violation of Lebanese sovereignty on land, air and sea," he said. "We are committed to liberating our land in full cooperation with the Lebanese state, the Lebanese army and the people, and we are waiting for the results."
Commenting on the current war between Iran and Israel, he said, "Iran is very strong and cohesive and does not need military support or backing from anyone, but political, popular and media support from the whole region in confronting Israel is required."
According to the New York Times, Iran’s senior leaders never expected Israel to strike before another round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran that had been scheduled for last Sunday in Oman. They dismissed reports that an attack was imminent as Israeli propaganda meant to pressure Iran in the talks.
"Trump and Netanyahu gave Iran and the world the illusion before the negotiation session that there is nothing and that Israel is responsive, but deception, treachery and brutality are the Israeli way," Qomati said.
Qomati emphasized "Iran's great, strong and cohesive steadfastness, and Israel's failure to topple the regime and strike nuclear energy," noting that "it is imperative to return to peace, negotiation and international solutions on nuclear energy."
