Beirut, Lebanon, 31st October 2024— Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, indicated Wednesday that the Lebanese militant group is open to a ceasefire with Israel, though only under conditions it deems acceptable.
Qassem’s comments come as Israeli forces intensify their offensive on Hezbollah strongholds, including new attacks on the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, which Israel claims killed another senior Hezbollah commander.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed “cautious optimism” about the potential for a ceasefire in “the coming hours or days.”
In an interview with Al-Jadeed television, Mikati said U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein had conveyed that a truce might be achievable before November 5, aligning with the timing of the upcoming U.S. elections.
Qassem, who recently assumed leadership of Hezbollah after the death of his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike last month, made his remarks during his first public address as leader. “If the Israelis decide they want to stop the aggression, we say we accept, but under the conditions that we see as appropriate and suitable,” he stated, adding that Hezbollah has yet to receive a credible ceasefire proposal. He also asserted Hezbollah’s resilience, claiming the group could withstand Israel’s military operations for months if necessary.
Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet convened to discuss terms that could facilitate a ceasefire, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen confirmed on Israeli public radio. “There are discussions; I think it will still take time,” said Cohen, who previously served as Israel’s intelligence minister.
Reports from Israel’s Channel 12 indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with cabinet ministers late Tuesday to explore potential conditions for a proposed 60-day ceasefire.
