Hezbollah Official Urges Ceasefire in Public Statement

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem publicly indicated support for a potential ceasefire in Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, according to a CNN report on Tuesday. Qassem voiced approval of political efforts spearheaded by Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, stating that a truce could pave the way for further diplomatic discussions.

However, Qassem stressed that any ceasefire would require Israel to halt its operations in Lebanon first. “As far as we are concerned, prior to the truce, any other discussion is out of place. If the enemy continues its war, the battlefield will decide between us,” he said, adding that Hezbollah remains committed to resisting Israeli aggression.

Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, has been attacking Israel almost daily since October 8, firing over 12,400 rockets, missiles, and drones. These attacks have resulted in over 40 deaths in Israel and forced tens of thousands of civilians in northern Israel to evacuate due to the ongoing cross-border conflict.

In response, Israel has intensified its military campaign against Hezbollah, particularly targeting the group's leadership in southern Beirut. The Israeli Air Force has conducted multiple strikes, reportedly killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and targeting his successor, Hashem Safieddine. Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon aim to dismantle Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, which has been involved in planning attacks on Israeli communities.

Israeli officials have linked any truce to the enforcement of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah to disarm and cease military activities south of the Litani River. Passed after the 2006 Second Lebanon War, this resolution remains a central demand from Jerusalem in any ceasefire negotiations.

As tensions continue, the possibility of a ceasefire rests on both sides' willingness to end the violence and move towards diplomatic resolution. Whether such a truce can be achieved remains to be seen as the conflict escalates.

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