Awaiting the outcome of the summit between the American and Israeli presidents today, and the report that the Lebanese army will present to the Council of Ministers regarding the first phase of implementing the ceasefire and withdrawing weapons, Hezbollah has firmly stated its rejection of moving to the second phase before Israel fulfills its obligations in the first phase. Consequently, the situation remains unclear, with some Lebanese officials adopting Israeli demands and making concessions at the expense of national sovereignty.
The writer and political analyst Qassem Qassir clarified that it is not possible to talk about the second phase before the Israeli enemy fulfills its obligations, a position affirmed explicitly by the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stressing that it is not possible to enter the second phase until Israel implements what is required of it.
Despite the statements of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam regarding the second phase, Qassir believes that Hezbollah does not agree with this vision or what the Prime Minister has put forward, but he does not expect any clash between the party and the political authority, stressing that the disagreement is limited to differences in viewpoints without reaching the point of direct confrontation.
Regarding the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Qassir indicates that although there is no confirmed information about the results of the meeting, the Israeli direction is clear: to obtain American approval for escalation in Lebanon or even to impose a wide-ranging war. He adds that the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun, believes that the option of war has been delayed, but the final results of the meeting are still open to all possibilities, and Lebanon must be prepared for any scenario.
Qassir affirms that going to a wide-ranging war is not an easy matter, and that the most realistic possibilities remain a limited escalation, with the possibility that the United States does not want to slide towards a comprehensive confrontation, while everything remains linked to the results of the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu.
Regarding Hezbollah’s position, Qassir confirms that readiness for all possibilities is required, noting that the party has not yet responded to any attacks, and that its decision to respond is linked to future developments, and no one can predict what it will do.
