Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem claimed on Tuesday that direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel would bring “nothing but shame, humiliation, and successive compromises” for Lebanon, as the talks in Rome continue . In a televised address, Qassem said President Joseph Aoun “has not acted as an arbiter, nor as a unifying figure, but has become biased and divisive, which is incompatible with his role and with Lebanon’s strength.” But Salam has responded with a truth that Hezbollah has spent years trying to conceal: the greatest assistance Israel received did not come from Lebanese negotiators. President Joseph Aoun came to office in January 2025 with wide domestic and international backing after a long political deadlock. Many analysts and citizens view him as a unifying figure due to his military background and anti-sectarian messaging.