Lebanon's Hezbollah says ceasefire 'meaningless' after over 3,000 Israeli violations

Hezbollah's secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has warned late on Sunday that the conflict with Israel is "far from over", citing ongoing attacks and ceasefire violations.

In a speech marking the anniversary of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in 2000, commemorated as 'Resistance and Liberation Day', Qassem reaffirmed that Hezbollah had remained committed to the "path of resistance".

Qassem stressed that both Hezbollah and the Lebanese state had respected the ceasefire, while accusing Israel of violating it over 3,300 times.

He warned that if the Lebanese state had failed to act, "other options" remained open.

"Don't ask me what the alternatives are. But know this - the resistance does not tolerate humiliation and will never surrender. We’re giving the state time, but it must act."

Qassem said the group did not view the conflict with Israel as over.

"Israel continues to apply military pressure, but it will only strengthen our resolve," he said. "We face two choices: victory or martyrdom - there is no third."

Qassem also addressed former US President Donald Trump, urging him to "break free from Israel's grip", calling Israel a burden that undermines regional stability. "They continue their aggression because of your backing. Stop enabling them," he said.

Hours after his remarks, an Israeli drone strikes targeted a motorcycle in the southern Lebanese town of Majdal Zoun, in what Lebanese media described as another breach of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on 27 November 2024.

Israeli air raids also hit the town of Kfarkela, and a stun grenade was reportedly thrown at a civilian near his home.

Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel on 8 October 2023, one day after Israel began its onslaught of Gaza. The group said the move was in solidarity with Palestinians under attack by Israel and a bid to fix Israeli forces on the northern border, thereby stretching Israel's military resources and possibly compelling Israel to accept a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.

Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon that escalated into a full-blown war last year, which left more than 4,000 dead in Lebanon.

A US-brokered ceasefire went into effect in late November 2024, which Israel was widely accused of violating, including by the Lebanese government and United Nations experts, who said cross-border attacks by Israel never ceased.

Within 60 days of the ceasefire, at least 57 civilians were killed and over 260 properties were destroyed by Israeli attacks, according to UN experts.

Israel was also accused of firing on civilians attempting to return to their homes in southern Lebanon, as well as targeting journalists shortly after the ceasefire came into effect. 

Israeli forces have maintained a military presence at five strategic hilltops inside southern Lebanon. These occupied positions, Al Awaida, Al Aziyah, Al Hamames, Jabal Bilat, and Labbouneh, overlook both Lebanese and Israeli territory and are considered by Lebanon to be an ongoing occupation in violation of the ceasefire terms.