BEIRUT: Hezbollah’s newly appointed leader, Naim Qassem, said on Wednesday that the Lebanese group is open to a ceasefire with Israel under “suitable” conditions, though he noted that a viable deal has not yet been proposed.
Qassem, who was named Hezbollah’s secretary-general on Tuesday, made his remarks in a pre-recorded speech, marking his first public statement since taking over the role following the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, by Israeli forces in September.
“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,” Qassem said. However, he said that Hezbollah would not “beg for a ceasefire” and expressed dissatisfaction with current diplomatic efforts, saying, “No project has been proposed that Israel agrees to and that we can discuss.”
While Qassem’s statement suggested a willingness for dialogue, he did not condition a truce with Israel on the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, a stance that Nasrallah had previously upheld.
Meanwhile, Israeli military continued its ground offensive in southern Lebanon. Qassem warned Israel to retreat to avoid further losses, saying, “Get out of our land to reduce your losses. If you stay, you will pay more than you have ever paid in your life.” He vowed that Hezbollah is prepared to sustain fighting “for days, weeks, and months.”
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Qassem pledged to uphold the late Nasrallah’s wartime strategies. “My work programme is a continuation of the work programme of our leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah,” he affirmed, vowing to continue the “war plan” Nasrallah developed.
The call for a ceasefire from Hezbollah’s new leadership coincides with Israeli discussions on potential truce terms. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said that Israel’s security cabinet is considering conditions for a 60-day truce with Hezbollah.
Channel 12, an Israeli broadcaster, reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with ministers on Tuesday to outline Israel’s requirements, which reportedly include a Hezbollah pullback to north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli-Lebanese border, a deployment of Lebanese army forces along the frontier, and an international enforcement mechanism.
Israel also seeks a guarantee to maintain operational freedom in case of perceived threats. Talks are expected to continue this week. US President Joe Biden’s Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and special envoy Amos Hochstein scheduled to arrive in the region to discuss terms with Israeli officials.
