BEIRUT, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared Monday that the militant group rejects direct talks with Israel and will continue its "resistance" as ambassadors from Lebanon and Israel prepared for talks in Washington.

This photo taken on March 7, 2026 shows a site struck by Israeli airstrikes in the eastern Lebanese village of Nabi Chit. (Photo: Xinhua)

"We will stay on the battlefield until our last breath," Qassem said in a televised speech on al-Manar TV.

Qassem said the "U.S.-backed Israeli aggression" was against Lebanon as a whole, not only Hezbollah. He said the group and its supporters had shown "steadfastness" despite heavy losses and destruction.

He accused Israel of failing to uphold a November 2024 ceasefire agreement meant to halt the fighting and secure a withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

The 2024 deal ended a 15-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. While major hostilities ceased, the two sides have frequently accused each other of violations. Israel said Hezbollah had failed to disarm, while Hezbollah said Israeli forces remained in Lebanon despite a ceasefire deadline for withdrawal.

Qassem said diplomacy has failed to halt the violence and that international efforts have produced "no tangible results" while strikes continue.

He called on Lebanese authorities to enforce existing agreements, including an Israeli withdrawal, the return of displaced civilians, reconstruction efforts, and the release of detainees.

Qassem rejected current diplomatic initiatives, saying proposed negotiations with Israel amount to "submission and surrender" and lack national consensus. He warned that such talks, as described by Israeli officials, aim to disarm Hezbollah and normalize relations with Israel.

He also criticized "outside pressure" on Lebanon to confront Hezbollah, saying efforts to strengthen the Lebanese army should not undermine internal stability. He urged unity among Lebanese factions and warned against actions that could deepen divisions.

Qassem reiterated that Hezbollah will continue its military campaign, saying resistance remains the only option in the face of continued attacks. He said the group is prepared for a long confrontation and aims to stop the fighting and "liberate the land."

Ambassadors from Lebanon and Israel are set to begin rare direct talks in Washington on Tuesday, with U.S. officials participating.

Hezbollah entered the current conflict on March 2, launching rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since the 2024 ceasefire. Israel responded with an intensified military campaign targeting multiple areas across the country, killing more than 2,000 people.