Elias Bejjani/Text and Video/Naim Qassem’s Speech: Delusions, Illusions, Denial, Deception, Cunning, & an Attempt to Subvert the Ceasefire Agreement Elias Bejjani/December 05/2024
Sheikh Naim Qassem’s televised appearance today was a disappointing display of rhetoric and deception. His speech, filled with baseless claims and inflammatory language, insulted the intelligence of the Lebanese people. Rather than acknowledging the reality of Hezbollah’s defeat and the necessity of the ceasefire agreement, Qassem attempted to undermine the agreement and perpetuate a dangerous illusion of victory.
The content of Qassem’s speech, like all Hezbollah leaders’ statements and stances since the party’s inception in 1982, is a bundle of lies, baseless rhetoric, delusional fantasies, and sectarian, inflammatory propaganda. This rhetoric promotes hatred, distorts history, and serves the interests of the Iranian mullah regime’s expansionist, imperialist, and terrorist schemes and sickening dreams.
Qassem’s primary tactic was to downplay the significance of the ceasefire. He falsely claimed that the agreement was limited to the area south of the Litani River and only concerned the implementation of UN Resolution 1701. This is a deliberate misrepresentation of the agreement’s terms, which clearly encompass all of Lebanon and mandate the disarmament of Hezbollah.
By denying the comprehensive nature of the agreement, Qassem seeks to maintain Hezbollah’s military capabilities and its ability to disrupt Lebanon’s stability. This strategy is not only a threat to Lebanon’s security but also a direct challenge to the international community’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
With absurdity and falsification, he asserted that the other resolutions, 1559 and 1680, lack enforcement mechanisms and are solely under the jurisdiction of the Lebanese state and its army. This is blatantly false. The agreement unequivocally covers all of Lebanon, mandates the dissolution of Hezbollah, the handover of its weapons to the Lebanese Army, and restricts the possession of arms to state entities, as explicitly stipulated in the Taif Agreement, which is enshrined in Lebanon’s constitution.
Some may wonder why Hezbollah agreed to an accord that undermines its very existence and exposes its false claims about resistance, liberation, and its grandiose slogans of “throwing Israel into the sea” and “praying in Jerusalem.” The answer is simple: the party faced a crushing defeat against Israel and had no other option but to surrender.
However, true to its nature, Hezbollah and its Iranian patrons specialize in deceit, duplicity, and reneging on agreements. Despite their defeat and the unprecedented calamity they have brought upon Lebanon’s Shiite community and the nation at large, they mistakenly believe they can once again evade the agreement and renege on its provisions that do not align with their sinister and expansionist agenda. Qassem’s speech falls squarely within this context.
Neither Hezbollah, nor its Iranian sponsors, nor any faction of political Islam, whether Sunni or Shiite, understand anything other than the language of force. If they are not deterred by power and compelled to fully and strictly adhere to the terms of the ceasefire agreement, they will inevitably revert to deceit, noncompliance, and attempts to rebuild and recover everything they have lost.
To ensure that the ceasefire holds and that Lebanon can move towards a more peaceful future, the international community must remain vigilant and hold Hezbollah accountable for its actions. Any attempt by Hezbollah to undermine the agreement must be met with a strong and decisive response.
Full text: The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal Times Of Israel/November 27/2024
‘Cessation of Hostilities’ document sets out ‘commitments’ by Israel and Lebanon intended ‘to enable civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their lands and homes’
November 27/2024
The following is the text of the deal that yielded a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon early on Wednesday morning. An almost identical text was first published by the UAE English daily The National. (A widely reported accompanying “side letter” setting out American commitments to Israel has not been seen by The Times of Israel or published elsewhere, but parts of its content, as reported by Israel’s Channel 12 news, appear at the bottom of this article.)
Announcement of a Cessation of Hostilities and Related Commitments on Enhanced Security Arrangements and Toward the Implementation of UNSCR 1701
After discussions with the governments of the Republic of Lebanon (hereinafter “Lebanon”) and the State of Israel (hereinafter “Israel”), the United States of America and France understand that Lebanon and Israel seek a sustainable end to the current escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line and are each prepared to take steps to promote conditions for a permanent and comprehensive solution.
These understandings reflect steps to which Israel and Lebanon are committed in order to implement fully United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, recognizing that UNSCR 1701 also calls for full implementation of its predecessor UNSC resolutions, including “disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon”, so that the only forces authorized to carry arms in Lebanon will be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Internal Security Forces, Directorate of General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs, and Municipal Police (hereinafter “Lebanon’s official military and security forces”). To that end, the US and France understand the following:
1. Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities beginning at 04:00 hours (IST/EET, November 27, 2024 in accordance with the commitments detailed below.
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2. From 04:00 hours (IST/EET), November 27, 2024 forward, the Government of Lebanon will prevent Hezbollah and all other armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any operations against Israel, and Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, or other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, or sea.
Amos Hochstein, center, a senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, arrives ahead of a meeting with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, November 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
3. Israel and Lebanon recognize the importance of UNSCR 1701 to achieving lasting peace and security and commit to taking steps towards its full implementation, without violation.
4. These commitments do not preclude either Israel or Lebanon from exercising their inherent right of self-defense, consistent with international law.
5. Without prejudice to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its responsibilities, or to commitments in UNSCR 1701 and its predecessor resolutions, Lebanon’s official military and security forces, infrastructure, and weaponry will be the only armed groups, arms, and related materiel deployed in the southern Litani area shown in the attached LAF Deployment Plan (hereinafter “the Southern Litani Area”).
6. Consistent with UNSCR 1701 and its predecessor resolutions, in order to prevent the re-establishment and rearmament of non-state armed groups in Lebanon, any sales or supply of arms and related materiel into Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Government of Lebanon. Additionally, all production of arms and related materiel within Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Government of Lebanon.
7. In order to implement UNSCR 1701, and upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities according to paragraph 1, the Government of Lebanon will provide all necessary authorities, including freedom of movement, to Lebanon’s official military and security forces, and instruct them, consistent with UNSCR 1701 and its predecessor resolutions to:
a. Monitor and enforce against any unauthorized entry of arms and related materiel into and throughout Lebanon, including through all border crossings, and against the unauthorized production of arms and materiel within Lebanon.
b. Starting with the Southern Litani Area, dismantle all existing unauthorized facilities involved in the production of arms and related materiel, and prevent the establishment of such facilities in the future.
c. Starting with the Southern Litani Area, dismantle all infrastructure and military positions, and confiscate all unauthorized arms inconsistent with these commitments.
8. The United States and France intend to work within the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L) to enable and achieve a total LAF deployment of 10,000 soldiers to southern Lebanon as soon as possible. Further, the United States and France intend to work with the international community to support the LAF as appropriate to achieve such an increase in its deployment levels in Lebanon, and to improve its capabilities.
9. Upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities according to paragraph 1, and without prejudice to UNIFIL and its mandate and responsibilities in UNSCR 1701 and its predecessor resolutions, Israel and Lebanon resolve, in co-ordination with UNIFIL, to reformulate and enhance the tripartite mechanism (hereinafter: “the Mechanism”). The reformulated and enhanced Mechanism, hosted by UNIFIL, chaired by the US, and including France, will monitor, verify, and assist in ensuring enforcement of these commitments.
a. Israel and Lebanon will cooperate with and facilitate the work of the Mechanism and will ensure their safety.
b. The Mechanism will work with the MTC4L to strengthen the capacity and training of the LAF to inspect and dismantle unauthorized sites and infrastructure, above and below ground, confiscate unauthorized weapons, and prevent the presence of unauthorized armed groups.
c. Alongside the Mechanism’s work, UNIFIL’s work pursuant to its mandate will continue, including the efforts UNIFIL supports through its convening role that enhance the Mechanism’s effectiveness.
10. Israel and Lebanon will report any alleged violations to the Mechanism and UNIFIL without prejudice to their respective rights to communicate directly with the UN Security Council. The Mechanism will develop appropriate procedures to consult, inspect, gather information, and assist in ensuring the enforcement of these commitments.
11. Upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities according to paragraph 1, Lebanon will deploy its official military and security forces to all borders, and to all regulated and non-regulated land, air and sea border crossings. In addition, the LAF will deploy forces, set road blocks and checkpoints on all the roads and bridges along the line delineating the Southern Litani Area.
12. Upon the commencement of the cessation of hostilities according to paragraph 1, Israel will withdraw its forces in a phased manner south of the Blue Line, and in parallel the LAF will deploy to positions in the Southern Litani Area shown in the attached LAF Deployment Plan, and will commence the implementation of its obligations under the commitments, including the dismantling of unauthorized sites and infrastructure and confiscating unauthorized arms and related materiel. The Mechanism will coordinate execution by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and LAF of the specific and detailed plan for the phased withdrawal and deployment in these areas, which should not exceed 60 days.
13. Israel and Lebanon request that the United States – with the partnership of the United Nations – facilitate indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon with the objective of resolving remaining disputed points along the Blue Line, consistent with resolution 1701.
The United States and France understand that the above commitments will be accepted by Israel and Lebanon concurrently with this announcement.
These commitments strive to enable civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their lands and homes. The United States and France further intend to lead international efforts to support capacity-building and economic development throughout Lebanon to advance stability and prosperity in this region.
Map accompanying US-brokered Israel-Lebanon cessation of hostilities announcement.
Reported content of a US ‘side letter’
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Israel’s Channel 12 news outlet published what it said were details from a “side letter” of guarantees that the US was providing to Israel, in which the US reportedly affirms and details Israel’s right to defend itself against renewed threats.
According to the report, the US will commit to providing Israel with intelligence information pertaining to violations of the terms of the ceasefire deal, and in particular, regarding any indication that Hezbollah is attempting to infiltrate the ranks of the Lebanese Army.
The letter also reportedly stresses the US’s commitment to working with Israel to prevent Iran from destabilizing the region, from establishing itself in Lebanon, and from undermining the accord directly or via proxies.
The US also confirms in the letter that Israel has the right to act in response to threats from inside Lebanon, “in accordance with international law,” Channel 12 reported.
The letter is reported to note that should the terms of the agreement be broken in southern Lebanon, Israel reserves the right to act at any time.
Beyond southern Lebanon, however, it will reportedly only be permitted to act in response to Hezbollah violating the ceasefire if the Lebanese Army is unable or unwilling to deal with the violations.
Should Israel feel it is required to take action in response to threats inside Lebanon, regardless of where, it will be required to notify the United States wherever possible, Channel 12 said the letter adds.
Finally, the report said, the letter confirms Israel’s right to conduct reconnaissance flights over Lebanon, for intelligence purposes, so long as they do not break the sound barrier.
Text Of Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem Speech/ He stressed on Thursday that the enemy sought to crush the resistance through its aggression but was met with the “Battle of The Formidable in Might”. Al-Manar English Website/December 05/2024
In a televised speech, Sheikh Qassem said, “For 64 days, we endured sacrifices, pain, martyrs, and injuries with patience, resilience, and reliance on Allah.”
According to Sheikh Qassem, three key factors contributed to Allah’s victory for us in this battle:
1. The presence and steadfastness of martyrdom-seeking fighters on the battlefield.
2. The blood of the martyrs, especially that of His Eminence Sayyed Nasrallah, which inspired the fighters to persevere.
3. The restoration of leadership and control structures within the party, enabling effective management of the “Battle of The Formidable in Might”.
Hezbollah Leader hailed the steadfastness of the displaced Lebanese people for their contribution to the victory, detailing Hezbollah plan to fund the reconstruction and thanking the Iranian-Iraqi-Yemeni financial support in this regard.
Sheikh Qassem stressed that those whose houses were completely destroyed will receive a 14-thousand-dollar pay in order to purchase a new furniture and rent a house for a year. His eminence also underlined the Lebanese government in raising the debris, treating the infrastructure problems and contributing to the reconstruction project. Sheikh Qassem pointed out that the legendary resilience of the fighters astonished the world, displaying unparalleled courage and bravery on the frontlines. “We achieved victory because the enemy failed to accomplish its objectives, marking their defeat. Our resistance remains steadfast, will endure, and will shine even brighter.” We agreed to the ceasefire mechanism outlined by Resolution 1701, which is not a new or standalone agreement, he added. Sheikh Qassem noted that Resolution 1701 mandates “Israel’s” withdrawal and prohibits armed presence south of the Litani River, adding that the provisions outlined in Resolution 1701 include mechanisms for Lebanon to reclaim its borders within the specified timeframe. “Israel has committed over 60 violations of the ceasefire agreement, and the government is responsible for addressing those breaches. The Lebanese state is accountable for monitoring Israeli violations, while the resistance provides an opportunity to ensure the success of the ceasefire agreement.”
Sheikh Qassem indicated that “Israel” has no influence on our internal relationships or our ties with the Lebanese Army, adding that Hezbollah’s strength stems from supporting the rights of Palestinians and Lebanese to liberate their land.” We will evaluate the crises and war we endured, drawing lessons to improve and advance in all fields, Sheikh Qassem said. His eminence expressed gratitude to those who hosted the displaced, to the various entities offering support, whether governmental or civilian, and to the countries that provided aid. Meanwhile, Sheikh Qassem said that the aggression against Syria is backed by America and ‘Israel’, adding that the Takfiri groups in Syria were tools serving ‘Israel’ and America. Hezbollah will stand alongside Syria to thwart this aggression, Sheikh Qassem affirmed. “We face a dangerous expansionist Israeli project, and I call on you to support the resistance against ‘Israel’. Takfiri groups aim to shift Syria from its position of resistance to one that serves the Israeli enemy.”
