In a significant development, Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, has backed down from its earlier demand for a ceasefire in Gaza as a precondition for truce in Lebanon, now signaling its readiness for a ceasefire directly with Israel. The group’s latest position is being widely interpreted as a sign that it is losing momentum in the face of Israel’s relentless strikes on Hezbollah positions and infrastructure in Lebanon.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have ramped up their military offensive in recent weeks, targeting key Hezbollah strongholds. The campaign has led to the elimination of several prominent Hezbollah leaders, including co-founder and former chief Hassan Nasrallah. This has weakened the group’s military and political influence in the region.
In an official statement, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem announced, “We support the political efforts led by [Parliament Speaker] Nabih 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.” The statement was quoted by CNN.
On the Israeli side, an unnamed official told The Times of Israel that the ceasefire, if agreed upon, would come with conditions favorable to Israel. “We are currently in a position of power. A ceasefire will be on our terms, including a [Hezbollah] withdrawal beyond the Litani [River] and the dismantling of all military Hezbollah sites in areas near the border.”
Meanwhile, The Times of Israel also reported that the US and Arab nations are engaging in covert discussions with Iran to ease tensions across the broader Middle East. Iran, which provides significant financial and military support to Hezbollah, is a key player in the conflict. US officials see Iran’s involvement as crucial to resolving the Hezbollah-Israel standoff, but the talks are reportedly focusing on a broader peace effort to stabilize the entire region.
Speaking to the press, a US State Department spokesperson highlighted Hezbollah’s change in tone as a sign of Israel’s success in weakening the group. “For over a year, the international community has called on Hezbollah to cease its cross-border attacks into Israel, which Hezbollah linked to the situation in Gaza. Now, the shift in their stance shows that the group’s military might has been diminished significantly.”
Despite the ceasefire talks, the US remains wary of Hezbollah’s intentions. “We don’t trust Hezbollah, and we continue to monitor the situation closely,” the spokesperson added.
The situation remains tense as negotiations unfold, with the ceasefire offering a glimmer of hope for de-escalation in the ongoing conflict. However, the underlying distrust between the parties, as well as regional complexities, make the road to peace uncertain.