BEIRUT/JERUSALEM – Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said Wednesday that the group will reject any proposal linked to disarmament, stressing that negotiations with Israel should focus on mutual security and the restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty.

Speaking at a gathering near the mausoleum of Hezbollah's former longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, Qassem accused Israel of pursuing expansionist policies and seeking to eliminate Hezbollah's military, political, social and popular presence in Lebanon.

According to Al-Manar local TV channel, Qassem said Hezbollah viewed its conflict with Israel as an existential struggle, arguing that the group is defending Lebanon's future, territory and people.

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Qassem called on Lebanese authorities to maintain what he described as Lebanon's core demands in any negotiations with Israel, including an end to Israeli attacks, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the release of detainees, the return of displaced residents to their homes, and reconstruction efforts.

He said issues related to Lebanon's internal affairs should remain outside any negotiations with Israel and be addressed domestically.

Qassem also urged the implementation of the ceasefire agreed on Nov 27, 2024, saying it provides a framework for ending hostilities and deploying the Lebanese army south of the Litani River in accordance with the agreement.

Qassem's remarks came ahead of the next round of Lebanon-US-Israel negotiations to be held in Washington next week.

Also on Wednesday, five Israeli soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, in southern Lebanon by Hezbollah-fired explosive drones, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli media.

The drones, fired successively, exploded near a tank of the IDF's Givati infantry unit operating in southern Lebanon, Israel's Channel 12 News reported.

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Earlier in the day, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israel launched airstrikes and artillery attacks on the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon.

The United States, Iran, and mediator Pakistan announced early Monday the finalization of a memorandum of understanding, aiming to end the conflict on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

According to the NNA, at least five people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon following the announcement.

UNICEF: More than 240 chidlren killed in conflict

More than 240 children have been killed and nearly 1,000 others wounded in Lebanon since fighting escalated in early March, UNICEF said Wednesday, warning that prolonged violence is taking a growing toll on the country's youngest population.

In a statement, UNICEF said 247 children were killed and 992 injured since March 2, adding that hundreds of thousands more are facing the effects of displacement, insecurity and interrupted access to basic services.

The agency estimated that over 770,000 children are struggling with the emotional and mental impact of the violence, while ongoing security concerns and unexploded munitions continue to prevent many families from returning to their communities.

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The agency called for an end to the fighting, protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, and unrestricted access for humanitarian organizations to reach affected populations.

Iran and the United States finalized a peace memorandum of understanding on Sunday, which is expected to call for an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference on Monday that the Israeli military would remain in the "security zones" it controlled in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip as long as necessary.