Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah speaks to the press in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, on Nov. 27, 2024, after a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
BEIRUT —Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah stressed the "need for Islamic countries to take coordinated and decisive measures to confront the expansionist ambitions and crimes of the Zionist entity in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank," during a meeting on Sunday with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Hezbollah's TV channel al-Manar reported.
Meanwhile, Araghchi praised the "resistance and steadfastness of the Lebanese people in the face of the brutal aggression by Israel" and affirmed the Islamic Republic’s "comprehensive support for the Lebanese people in defending their country’s territorial integrity, dignity and national sovereignty."
According to al-Manar, Fadlallah expressed his "appreciation for the Islamic Republic’s support for the Lebanese people, particularly Araghchi’s efforts to support the Lebanese people's resistance through diplomatic efforts."
The Hezbollah MP also praised Iran’s "strong diplomacy," which is "serving as a source of pride for Iran’s allies."
Fadlallah also briefed Araghchi on the latest developments in Lebanon including continued Israeli attacks and the occupation of parts of the country.
Two days after the U.S.-Iran war began on Feb. 28, Hezbollah carried out its first operation against Israel in more than 15 months, triggering a second Israeli war against the Iran-backed party.
Despite a cease-fire reached in mid-June, Israeli has continued to demolish infrastructure on a daily basis in southern Lebanon, particularly in villages still occupied by the Israeli army. The attacks have intensified in recent weeks, especially around the Ali Taher ridge, a strategic height in the Nabatieh region where a Hezbollah base reportedly might be hosting members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Diplomatic efforts are currently underway to prevent a broader offensive in the area.
These renewed tensions come amid a lack of major progress during the latest round of direct talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv in Rome in early August. The talks are part of a framework agreement to establish “pilot zones” where the Lebanese Army is expected to disarm Hezbollah in exchange for Israeli withdrawal.
Hezbollah, for its part, says it respects the cease-fire established under the Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the U.S., despite the agreement expiring about a week ago without being extended.
