Fayad decries 'systematic strangulation of our people' from Israel and 'from within'

Hezbollah MP Ali Fayad accused Israel on Thursday of failing to meet its obligations, despite Hezbollah's compliance with disarming south of the Litani River.

"We have committed to disarming south of the Litani river and not a single bullet was fired but it was met with nothing in return," Fayad said as parliament convened for a third and last day in a row to discuss the 2026 state budget.

Fayad also accused domestic rivals of "pouncing on us from within."

"We are worried and angry. The Israelis are assassinating us daily, while at the same time, there is domestically a systematic strangulation of our people," he said.

He accused the ministers of foreign affairs and justice and the central bank governor of suffocating Hezbollah and its support base.

Israel has kept up its attacks on south and east Lebanon, despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024, and is occupying five hills it deems "strategic" in south Lebanon.

Earlier this month, the army announced the completion of the first phase of Hezbollah's disarmament -- south of the Litani river. But Israel says the Lebanese army's efforts are "insufficient".