Story perspectives

Hezbollah Rejects Talks, Demands Withdrawal; Trump Spurns Ceasefire

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem told fighters Lebanon must quit talks with Israel, calling them concessions, and said it will not surrender, keep fighting, treating weapons as Lebanese internal matter.
Qassem listed five goals: Israeli withdrawal, prisoner release, civilians’ return, reconstruction, and Lebanese army deployment south of Litani River.
Israeli attacks killed three and wounded four in Lebanon while President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s cease-fire proposal and urged pressure on Israel.

History

Historical Context

On 12 July 2006 Hezbollah’s raid on Israeli forces triggered a 34-day war in which it launched about 4,000 rockets into northern Israel. The fighting stopped after UN Security Council Resolution 1701 on 11 August 2006, which demanded Israeli withdrawal, Lebanese army deployment south of the Litani and barred Hezbollah arms south of the river. Today Hezbollah political chief Naim Qassem repeats those demands, showing the conflict’s lasting influence.

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Story summary

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem told fighters Lebanon must quit talks with Israel, calling them concessions, and said it will not surrender, keep fighting, treating weapons as Lebanese internal matter.
Qassem listed five goals: Israeli withdrawal, prisoner release, civilians’ return, reconstruction, and Lebanese army deployment south of Litani River.
Israeli attacks killed three and wounded four in Lebanon while President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s cease-fire proposal and urged pressure on Israel.

1 / 2