Hezbollah Supports Ceasefire as Hostilities with Israel Intensify in Lebanon

Hezbollah has publicly endorsed efforts to establish a ceasefire in Lebanon, as stated by Sheikh Naim Qassem, the group’s Deputy Secretary General. This marks the first instance where the group has shown support for a truce without linking it to a ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking on Tuesday, Qassem emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who seeks a resolution under the banner of a ceasefire.

“We support the political efforts led by Berri under the banner of achieving a ceasefire. Once the ceasefire is firmly established and diplomacy can reach it, all other details will be discussed and decisions will be made collaboratively,” Qassem announced.

Since October 8 of the previous year, Lebanon’s Hezbollah began firing at Israel in solidarity with Hamas, which had launched an attack from Gaza. Previously, Hezbollah conditioned its ceasefire on a ceasefire with Hamas. However, Israel insisted that Hezbollah decouple its conflict from Hamas’s ongoing war.

Qassem’s speech, marking one year since Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict, omitted any condition of a Gaza ceasefire for peace in Lebanon. The address followed a series of events, including the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel last month, after which Israel conducted limited ground operations in Lebanon.

Nabih Berri, an influential figure allied with Hezbollah and leader of the Shiite Amal party, has been central in ceasefire negotiations mediated by Western countries. The situation remains volatile as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanese citizens about the consequences of continued conflict, alluding to a war similar to that in Gaza.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported over 1,400 deaths due to Israeli attacks, and more than 1.2 million have been displaced amid escalating hostilities. Despite these developments, much of Qassem’s recent remarks reflected a defiant stance concerning Hezbollah’s readiness to continue its confrontation against Israel if necessary.

“If the enemy continues its war, then the battlefield will be decisive, and the battlefield belongs to us,” Qassem declared. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched a significant rocket barrage targeting northern Israel, causing damage in cities such as Haifa and Kiryat.

On the ground, the Israeli military has expanded its “limited, localized, targeted operations” in southwestern Lebanon, while Hezbollah continues armed engagements along the border, reportedly resulting in casualties on both sides.

The ongoing conflict puts significant pressure not only militarily but also humanitarianly, with the World Health Organization warning about potential outbreaks of diseases due to overcrowded shelter conditions and hospital closures in Lebanon.