Hezbollah condemns Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, blames US, urges Lebanese authorities to halt talks

BEIRUT, Aug. 15 (YPA) – Hezbollah on Saturday condemned a series of Israeli occupation airstrikes targeting residential buildings in the southern towns of Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani in the Nabatieh district, which killed 11 people—including women and children—and injured 12 others.

In an official statement, Hezbollah asserted that the expanding scope of the attacks reflects Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intention to escalate the conflict to serve domestic political and electoral interests.

Hezbollah warned that any attempts to establish a new status quo would be met with appropriate defensive measures to protect Lebanese sovereignty.

The statement held both the Israeli government and the US administration fully responsible for the ongoing strikes and violations of Lebanese sovereignty. It called on the Lebanese government to suspend direct negotiations and reassess its reliance on US mediation and guarantees, describing Washington as a partner in the aggression.

Additionally, Hezbollah denounced recent statements by the US ambassador to Beirut regarding the disarmament of the resistance, characterizing the remarks as “coercive.” It urged political factions in Lebanon to recognize the security risks associated with the government’s current diplomatic approach.

The escalation coincides with intensified Israeli aerial bombardments, artillery shelling, and demolition operations across southern Lebanon, occurring alongside ongoing framework agreement negotiations.

YPA