Hezbollah warned that any ceasefire must not allow Israeli freedom of movement inside Lebanon, saying Israeli troops on Lebanese soil would give Lebanese the "right to resist." These remarks are the group's first public response to a proposed truce. Parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, urged residents to postpone returning to towns and villages until the situation becomes clearer. The statements underscore tensions over sovereignty and the precise terms required for a ceasefire.
Hezbollah: Ceasefire Must Bar Israeli Freedom Of Movement In Lebanon
An Israeli military vehicle manouvres in Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, April 12, 2026. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Hezbollah said on Thursday that the presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory would give Lebanon and its people "the right to resist," and warned that any ceasefire must not permit Israeli freedom of movement within Lebanon. The statement represents the group's first public reaction to a recently proposed truce.
In a written release, Hezbollah argued that Israeli forces operating on Lebanese soil would undermine Lebanese sovereignty and could render the protections of a ceasefire meaningless.
"The presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory would grant Lebanon and its people the right to resist," the statement said.
Nabih Berri, speaker of Lebanon's parliament and an ally of Hezbollah, urged residents to delay returning to their homes. "Postpone your return to your towns and villages until the situation becomes clearer, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement," he said.
Context: The comments come amid negotiations over a proposed truce between Israel and Hezbollah-linked forces along the Lebanon-Israel border. Both sides have emphasized strict terms on movement and sovereignty as part of any ceasefire discussion.
Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam; writing by Enas Alashray; editing by Toby Chopra.
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