Hezbollah demands Israel’s unconditional withdrawal as Lebanon-Israel US talks extend

What happened

Al Jazeera reports that Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem has demanded Israel withdraw unconditionally from all Lebanese territory in a televised address on Ashura, amid the ongoing US-mediated ceasefire talks between Lebanon and Israel which have been extended in Washington to seek an agreement.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Qassem described the recent US-Iran interim ceasefire agreement, which also covers Lebanon, as an "official declaration of defeat" for the US and Israel. He emphasized Hezbollah’s stance of "no normalisation, no cancellation of hostility, and no gains for Israel," urging Lebanese authorities to resist US and Israeli interests and unify against the enemy. This underscores Hezbollah’s continued rejection of the peace talks and direct negotiations with Israel.

Despite the ceasefire framework, Israeli military activity continues. Israeli forces remain positioned deep in southern Lebanon, with reported Israeli air raids on towns including Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Mayfadoun, the latter reportedly resulting in two deaths. Israeli military also reported injuries to four soldiers in a clash with Hezbollah near Beit Yahoun. Leaflets asking residents to evacuate Mansouri were dropped by Israel, according to Lebanese media.

Known from the source

• Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem demanded Israel's unconditional withdrawal from Lebanon in a televised speech on Ashura.
• US-mediated Lebanon-Israel ceasefire talks in Washington have been extended.
• Israeli forces remain stationed deep inside southern Lebanon.
• Israel conducted air raids on Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Mayfadoun, with reports of two fatalities in Mayfadoun.
• Israeli military reported four soldiers injured in fighting with Hezbollah near Beit Yahoun.

What remains unclear

The US-backed talks have reportedly focused on Israeli troop withdrawals from occupied buffer zones and a proposal for handing some territory back to Lebanon’s military. Israeli officials have reportedly conditioned withdrawal on Hezbollah’s full disarmament and the Lebanese army dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure north of the Litani River, which Lebanon’s military denies has occurred. Lebanese officials say Israel remains reluctant to make binding commitments on withdrawal or a comprehensive ceasefire.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Confirm casualty figures from Mayfadoun air raids and responsible parties. Confirm whether Israeli forces have indeed withdrawn from the buffer zone as claimed by US sources and disputed by Lebanese military. Verify details and extent of Israeli leaflet drops over southern towns.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Al Jazeera Lebanon. Open the source.