Amid Ongoing Israeli Airstrikes, Hezbollah’s New Chief Naim Qassem Signals Willingness For Truce

In a development that could mark a pivotal shift in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah’s newly appointed leader, Naim Qassem, announced on Wednesday (30 October) that the Lebanese armed group may consider a ceasefire under specific conditions. 

Qassem’s statement comes as Israel’s security cabinet met to discuss the possibility of a truce, even as Israeli forces continued their airstrikes on Baalbek, killing a senior Hezbollah commander in one of the latest assaults.

Qassem, who succeeded Hassan Nasrallah as Hezbollah’s leader after Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month, made his first public address since taking over.

In his remarks, Qassem asserted that Hezbollah’s resistance to Israeli air and ground attacks could continue indefinitely, emphasising the group’s resilience in the face of mounting aggression.

However, he suggested that Hezbollah might be open to a truce, provided it meets certain terms.

"If the Israelis decide that they want to stop the aggression, we say we accept, but under the conditions that we see as appropriate and suitable," he stated, though he noted that Hezbollah has not yet received any credible offers for negotiation.

Lebanon's premier Najib Mikati also expressed cautious optimism, about a ceasefire in "the coming hours or days".

Speaking to broadcaster Al-Jadeed, Mikati said United States (US) envoy Amos Hochstein had suggested "that perhaps we could reach a ceasefire in the coming days, before the fifth" of November, when the US election takes place.

The possibility of a diplomatic resolution has drawn considerable attention, with US State Department officials Brett McGurk and Hochstein reportedly en route to Israel to explore options for ending hostilities in both Gaza and Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a late-night meeting with ministers on Tuesday to discuss Israel's demands in exchange for a proposed 60-day truce. 

These include that Hezbollah withdraws north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometers from the Israeli frontier, and that the Lebanese state's army deploys along the border.

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