Hezbollah rejected talks

By Weedah Hamzah and Amira Rajab

Beirut (dpa) — Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naeem Qassem said on Wednesday that his Iran-backed militia would continue its war against Israel without limits, rejecting any negotiations while under attack.

“When negotiations with the Israeli enemy are put under fire, it is an imposition to surrender and rob all Lebanon’s capabilities,” Qassem said in a statement.

Qassem said talks with “an enemy occupying the land and attacking daily” were unacceptable, stressing that the only priority at this stage is to stop “the aggression,” with all other issues to be discussed later.

He warned of what he described as a “dangerous American-Israeli project” aimed at establishing a “greater Israel.”

Qassem called for national unity but urged the Lebanese government to reverse its recent decision to declare Hezbollah’s military activities as illegal, saying such moves serve Israeli interests.

He reiterated that Hezbollah is engaged in a defensive battle to protect Lebanon and its citizens, stressing that the timing of any response to Israeli attacks would be decided by the group.

The latest escalation in hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel – effectively ending a fragile ceasefire – unfolded amid the broader war involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Hezbollah rejected talks

Hezbollah renewed attacks on Israeli positions, voicing support for Tehran and saying it is defending Lebanon against “Israeli aggression,” opening a another front in the Middle East conflict.

Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, including in Beirut and southern border regions, have triggered widespread displacement of civilians fleeing the fighting.

Meanwhile, the violence continued to take a heavy toll in Lebanon, where 42 paramedics have reportedly been killed since early March amid escalating Israeli attacks.

In the latest incident on Wednesday, two paramedics lost their lives when their motorcycle was struck while they were on duty.

They were in uniform and riding a clearly marked vehicle equipped with warning lights, according to the Health Ministry.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said in its daily report issued that the total number of martyrs from March 2 to March 25 has risen to 1,094, while the number of injured has increased to 3,119.

Medical teams linked to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have been among those affected, with authorities saying rescue workers are increasingly coming under fire.

The Israeli military said it is reviewing the incident, while maintaining that Hezbollah has used ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes.

Lebanese officials, however, accuse Israel of deliberately targeting rescue operations, calling it a violation of international law.