The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, announced his categorical rejection of any direct negotiation with Israel, considering that the solution begins with stopping the aggression, withdrawing Israeli forces from the occupied territories, releasing prisoners, returning the people, and launching reconstruction. Sheikh Qassim said that the resistance has thwarted Israel's goals since the outbreak of the confrontation, stressing that the party is still strong and persistent, and that it will not give up weapons or the option of defending Lebanon. He criticized the performance of the Lebanese authority, considering that it made free concessions and went to direct negotiations that did not express Lebanon's interest, calling for the adoption of indirect negotiation and a return to internal dialogue. He stressed that the resistance weapon is a defensive weapon linked to the continuation of the occupation and attacks, stressing that the party will respond to any Israeli aggression and will not return to what was before March 2. He stressed that Israel will not remain on any inch of the occupied Lebanese territories, and that the people will return to their villages, calling for national unity and the reconstruction of what was destroyed.