Published October 8, 2024
BEIRUT, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has suffered major blows from Israel in Lebanon, on Tuesday left the door open to a negotiated ceasefire after its arch-foe raised the stakes with fresh incursions in the south of the country.
In a televised speech, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem, said he supported attempts to secure a truce, and for the first time did not mention the end of war in Gaza as a pre-condition to halting combat on the Lebanon-Israel border.
Qassem said Hezbollah supported attempts by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, to secure a halt to fighting, which has escalated in recent weeks with the Israeli ground incursions and the killing of top Hezbollah leaders.
“We support the political activity being led by Berri under the title of a ceasefire,” Qassem said in his 30-minute televised address.
It was not clear whether this signalled any change in stance, after a year in which the group has said it is fighting in support of the Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and would not stop without a ceasefire there.
Speaking in front of curtains from an undisclosed location, Qassem said the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel was a war about who cries first, and Hezbollah would not cry first. The group’s capabilities were intact despite “painful blows” from Israel.
“We are striking them. We are hurting them and we will prolong the time. Dozens of cities are within range of the resistance’s missiles. We assure you that our capabilities are fine,” said Qassem.
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SOURCE: www.reuters.com
RELATED: Hezbollah says support peace efforts but if Israel prolongs war ‘then battlefield will decide’
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, stated that the group remains resilient despite Israeli attacks and will not yield in the conflict, supporting ceasefire efforts in Lebanon.
Smoke billows over Beirut southern suburbs after a strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 7, 2024. Source: REUTERS.
Published October 8, 2024
`The deputy leader of Hezbollah said in comments broadcast on Tuesday the group had “moved beyond” painful blows inflicted by Israel, as Israeli forces began ground operations in the southwest of Lebanon, expanding its incursions into a new zone.
Naim Qassem said Hezbollah would not be the first to yield in the war against arch-foe Israel and that its capabilities are still intact, adding that Israel has yet to advance after ground clashes broke out in south Lebanon seven days ago.
Qassem said Hezbollah supports efforts by Lebanon Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to secure a ceasefire. It was the first time that the movement did not explicitly link a halt to hostilities in Lebanon with a ceasefire in Gaza, though it was not clear whether this signalled any change in stance after a year in which it has said it is fighting in support of the Palestinians.
“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,” Qassem said in a televised speech.
“If the enemy (Israel) continues its war, then the battlefield will decide,” he added.
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SOURCE: www.firstpost.com
