Hezbollah: Ceasefire is meaningless, Israelis continue to attack us

(Patria) - Lebanese Hezbollah said yesterday that the ceasefire in the war with Israel, brokered by the US, is meaningless, a day after it was extended for three weeks, pointing to the continuation of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and adding that the group has the right to respond.

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a three-week extension of the ceasefire after hosting the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors at the White House.

The ceasefire agreement between the governments of Lebanon and Israel was due to expire on Sunday. In a statement commenting on the extension, Hezbollah representative Ali Fayad said it was "important to note that the ceasefire is meaningless."

"It is meaningless in light of Israel's insistence on hostile acts, including assassinations, shelling and gunfire, as well as the destruction of villages and towns in the south," Fayad said.

Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel flared up again on March 2, when the group opened fire in support of Iran in the regional war.

The ceasefire in Lebanon came separately from US efforts to resolve the conflict with Tehran, although Iran called for Lebanon to be included in any broader truce.

The ceasefire, brokered by the US and which came into effect on April 16, resulted in a significant reduction in hostilities.

However, Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange fire in southern Lebanon, where Israel has its soldiers in a self-proclaimed "buffer zone."

"Any Israeli aggression against any Lebanese target, regardless of its nature, gives the resistance forces the right to respond proportionally," Fayad concluded.