Hezbollah deputy leader supports efforts to maintain calm in Lebanon but leaves out the Gaza agreement

In remarks aired on Tuesday, Hezbollah deputy commander Naim Qassem stated that his organization is in favor of attempts to bring about a ceasefire for Lebanon. However, this is the first time that he has mentioned a Gaza truce agreement as a requirement for ending the group’s firing on Israel.

Hezbollah’s supporter Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri has been working to secure an end to the combat, which has intensified in recent weeks due to Israeli ground incursions and the assassinations of several of the organization’s top leaders, including secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, according to Qassem.

In a 30-minute televised speech, Qassem declared, “We support the political activity being led by Berri under the title of a ceasefire.”

“In any case, after the issue of a ceasefire takes shape, and once diplomacy can achieve it, all of the other details can be discussed and decisions can be taken,” he stated. “If the enemy (Israel) continues its war, then the battlefield will decide.”

In support of its ally Hamas, which is at war with Israel as a result of the Hamas-led invasion on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah started firing missiles at Israel a year ago.

Top Hezbollah figures have emphasized time and time again over the past year that their organization will not put out fire until a truce in Gaza is achieved; nevertheless, Qassem’s speech seemed to deviate from that stance.

Every night, Israeli attacks have targeted the group’s base in the southern suburbs of Beirut. On Tuesday, ground incursions were extended to further areas of Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.

In addition, Qassem sounded a belligerent note, declaring that the group’s capabilities were unaltered, that it had stepped up its missile barrage against Israel, and that it was eager for “clashes” with Israeli forces in Lebanon.