Hezbollah’s Deputy Leader Naim Qassem announced on Tuesday that the group supports efforts for a ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border, marking the first time Hezbollah has publicly endorsed such a move without linking it to the broader war in Gaza. Qassem cited the political efforts of Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is leading the push for a truce.
“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,” Deputy Secretery General Naim Qassem said in a televised address.
Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem: We Support the Ceasefire Initiative of Our ‘Big Brother’ Nabih Berri; This Is Not a War Over Iran and Its Influence in the Region; Iran and Hizbullah Are Helping the Palestinians Liberate Their Own Land pic.twitter.com/u4DCDlJ9Hx
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) October 8, 2024
Despite backing the ceasefire talks, Qassem emphasized Hezbollah’s readiness to continue fighting, highlighting the group’s resilience after suffering “painful blows” from Israeli strikes.
Qassem’s statement comes as the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since October 8, when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas following its attack from Gaza.
Israeli airstrikes, which have expanded into southern Lebanon, have targeted Hezbollah’s leadership, with Israeli forces killing senior commander Suhail Husseini on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that Hezbollah has suffered major setbacks, including the deaths of top leaders.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Hezbollah’s call for a ceasefire indicates that the militant group is struggling and “getting battered.”
“For a year, the world has been calling for this ceasefire, while Hezbollah consistently refused. Now that they’re on the back foot and taking heavy losses, they’ve suddenly shifted their stance and are seeking a ceasefire,” Miller said. “We continue to ultimately want a diplomatic solution to this conflict.”
Berri, leader of the Shiite Amal party and an ally of Hezbollah, has played a central role in ceasefire negotiations mediated by Western nations.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib earlier said that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had agreed to a temporary ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and other allies during last month’s UN General Assembly, just days before he was assassinated by Israel.
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