In a sharp rebuke to the recent ceasefire extension, a senior Hezbollah lawmaker has labeled the truce as 'meaningless' in the face of continued Israeli military operations. The statement by Ali Fayyad, a member of the Iran-backed group's parliamentary bloc, marks the first official response from Hezbollah to the three-week ceasefire extension announced on Thursday by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The ceasefire, which was brokered through international mediators, had raised hopes for a de-escalation in the ongoing conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border. However, Fayyad's comments underscore the deep mistrust between the two sides, as he accused Israel of violating the spirit of the truce with persistent attacks.
Hezbollah's Position
Speaking to local media, Fayyad emphasized that the ceasefire holds no value as long as Israeli forces continue to strike Lebanese territory. 'A ceasefire that is not accompanied by a halt to aggression is nothing but a meaningless piece of paper,' he said. He further argued that the extension, while welcomed by some, does not address the root causes of the conflict, including Israeli occupation of disputed territories.
The lawmaker's remarks reflect Hezbollah's broader stance that any cessation of hostilities must be conditional on mutual compliance. The group has previously warned that it reserves the right to respond to any Israeli provocation, a position that has kept the region on edge.
International Reactions
The ceasefire extension, announced by Trump during a press conference, was seen as a diplomatic victory for the U.S. administration. However, critics have questioned its effectiveness, given the lack of a comprehensive agreement. The United Nations has called for both parties to exercise restraint, while regional powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia have urged dialogue.
Israel, for its part, has not officially commented on Fayyad's statement but has maintained that its operations are defensive in nature. The Israeli military has reported intercepting several rockets fired from Lebanon in recent days, which it attributes to Hezbollah-aligned factions.
As the situation remains volatile, analysts warn that the ceasefire could collapse if neither side shows willingness to de-escalate. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the extension leads to a lasting peace or merely postpones further violence.
