Hezbollah Criticizes Lebanon-Israel Deal; Amnesty Law Sparks Tensions

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem strongly criticized Lebanese officials for accepting a U.S.-brokered framework agreement with Israel, calling it a 'sinful mistake' during a speech broadcast by Hezbollah-run Al Manar TV. According to multiple reports, Qassem accused the officials of relinquishing Lebanon's sovereignty and failing to secure any gains after seven rounds of negotiations.

The framework agreement, reached under pressure from Washington, aims for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied parts of southern Lebanon. However, Israel insists on complete disarmament of Hezbollah before withdrawing its troops. Despite the Lebanese Army's deployment in a pilot zone, Israel continued strikes and demolitions.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's parliament passed a controversial general amnesty law, reducing sentences for various crimes but excluding rape, trafficking, corruption, terror funding, and premeditated murder. The law has sparked sectarian tensions, with critics arguing it benefits Sunni Islamist prisoners disproportionately. Supporters claim it helps reduce prison overcrowding and corrects past judicial overreach.

The amnesty law follows the abolition of the death penalty in Lebanon, making it the first Middle Eastern country to do so. The move has been welcomed by human rights groups but criticized by families of victims who fear leniency for perpetrators. According to Al Jazeera, the law aims to reduce overcrowding in prisons, where inmates often await trial for years.

Justice Minister Adel Nasar emphasized that abolishing the death penalty should not be viewed as leniency toward crime but a rejection of killing. He stated that depriving someone of their freedom is 'a harsher punishment.' Amnesty International celebrated the passing of the legislation, noting that Lebanon had not carried out an execution since January 17, 2004.