Lebanon failing prisoners held by Israel, Hezbollah chief says
The Secretary-General of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has criticized the Lebanese government for failing to secure the release of prisoners held by Israel.
In a message addressed on Sunday to prisoners and their families, Sheikh Naim Qassem said that Beirut had failed to exert “sufficient pressure on friendly countries” to free the Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Qassem warned that the ceasefire reached two years ago, following the war between Hezbollah and Israel, will remain fragile unless the prisoners are released.
“No situation will be stable unless all prisoners are released and the fate of the missing is revealed,” he said.
The Hezbollah chief added, however, that the resistance would continue to push for the release of the prisoners.
“… resistance is our choice … we are a people who will not abandon our prisoners in prisons … we will do everything in our power to free you, and our hope in Allah is great,” Qassem said, describing Israel as a regime that lacks the most basic human values.
Israel has detained at least 23 Lebanese nationals since the war with Hezbollah, under the pretext of being Hezbollah fighters.
Other civilians are also held in Israeli jails, including individuals kidnapped since the ceasefire was reached in November 2024. Some were lured from Lebanon into Israeli-occupied territories with help from Israeli agents operating in Lebanon.
Sheikh Qassem's message came as Israel continued to violate the ceasefire on Sunday, with drones and jets striking targets in southern and eastern Lebanon. Reports said two people were killed as a result of the attacks.
Israel has violated the truce with Lebanon more than 1,000 times while repeatedly threatening a new war if Hezbollah does not disarm.
The Lebanese resistance has refused to surrender its weapons, saying they are necessary to defend Lebanon against renewed Israeli aggression.
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