Hezbollah is deliberately escalating its activities in Lebanon at Iran’s direction in an effort to undermine direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, a Lebanese political official opposed to the terror group told Kan News on Sunday.

The official claimed that Hezbollah’s actions are intended to weaken the Lebanese government’s position and derail the talks with Israel. “It is unfortunate that the Lebanese leadership does not understand this sufficiently,” the official said.

The comments come after Hezbollah attacked IDF forces in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area, seriously wounding three soldiers and prompting Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam subsequently issued sharp condemnations of Israel over the retaliatory strikes.

The Lebanese official sharply criticized Beirut’s response, arguing that the country’s leadership continues to ignore the fundamental issue of Hezbollah refusing to disarm despite Lebanese government decisions. The official added that the government is also failing to assert control over the situation at the Ali al-Taher Ridge, effectively allowing Hezbollah to manage events there.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)