Lebanon's Foreign Minister: Hezbollah in Denial about War Costs

2026-07-03T16:08:55.529Z

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji considered that Hezbollah is in denial about the scale of the costs borne by the Lebanese as a result of the war with Israel, stressing that monopolizing weapons in the hands of the state is an urgent Lebanese necessity. He explained that the framework agreement with Israel is not final but a basis for negotiations that preserve the independence of Lebanese decision-making.

On Friday, Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji affirmed that Hezbollah is still in denial about the facts and the scale of the costs borne by the Lebanese as a result of the war with Israel, in a post on platform X following his meeting with a number of ambassadors of Francophone countries.

Raji stressed that "monopolizing weapons in the hands of the state is not an external demand, but an urgent Lebanese necessity to establish a normal state capable of protecting all its citizens, safeguarding their interests, and opening a new page of stability and prosperity."

Regarding the framework agreement signed last week with Israel under American auspices, the minister explained that it "is not a final agreement, but a starting point for completing negotiations," stressing that its importance lies in cementing the independence of Lebanese decision-making and establishing the principle that the Lebanese state alone negotiates on behalf of Lebanon, describing this as "a red line that cannot be touched."

Raji explained that the Lebanese state embarked on negotiations because it did not have the luxury of options, but rather acted out of its national responsibility to save Lebanon and stop the war, while Hezbollah still refuses to recognize the scale of the losses suffered by the Lebanese.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had repeatedly affirmed that the option of negotiating with Israel was the best and least costly for Lebanon, stressing that the official authorities will not give up any inch of the south and will insist on the complete Israeli withdrawal from all towns.

In response, Hezbollah directed sharp criticism at the agreement, describing it as an "agreement of submission and external dictates," even going as far as calling it a "disgraceful act and betrayal," calling on the Lebanese state to stop direct negotiations with Israel. In the same context, the party thanked Iran, which negotiated with the United States to reach a memorandum of understanding that stipulated in one of its 14 clauses a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon.

On the ground, Israeli raids continue on southern Lebanon, albeit at a lower pace since last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that Israeli forces will remain in what they described as "security zones" indefinitely, until the threat to northern Israel is eliminated and Hezbollah's weapons are dismantled.