Amal Movement official says no settlement is possible without full Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction

A senior official in Lebanon’s Amal Movement said on Tuesday that any lasting settlement in southern Lebanon must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the reconstruction of areas damaged during the conflict.

Sheikh Hassan Abdullah, the Amal Movement’s central cultural official and the Mufti of Tyre and Jabal Amel, said the current phase requires greater dialogue among Lebanon’s political factions to reach a unified national position.

Speaking during a memorial ceremony in the town of Bnaafoul, Abdullah called on Lebanese authorities to “open the door to discussion and dialogue among the various Lebanese factions” to strengthen national unity, which he described as the foundation of Lebanon’s strength.

He said defending Lebanon against Israeli aggression is a national duty and argued that a formal ceasefire alone would not be sufficient.

According to Abdullah, any agreement should result in the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, the safe return of displaced residents to their villages, and the reconstruction of affected areas.

He added that rebuilding damaged communities and enabling residents to return to and cultivate their land are rights that should not be subject to conditions.

Abdullah also said that any future agreement that does not achieve these objectives would be unacceptable.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions in Lebanon over the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and international efforts to address the situation in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese officials have continued to accuse Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement and have called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from positions they say remain under Israeli control, while Israel has maintained that its actions are necessary for security purposes.