Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks throughout an interview with Reuters within the suburbs of Beirut, June 6, 2022. File | Picture credit score: Reuters
Hezbollah’s new chief Naim Qassem mentioned on Wednesday (Oct. 30, 2024) that the group would conform to a ceasefire with Israel on acceptable phrases, however added {that a} viable deal has not but been introduced.
Qassem, who was named secretary basic of Hezbollah on Tuesday (Oct. 29), didn’t explicitly hyperlink a ceasefire in Lebanon to an finish to combating in Gaza, a place beforehand held by the Iran-backed group.
“If the Israelis determine that they need to cease the aggression, we are saying that we settle for it, however below the situations that we take into account applicable and sufficient,” Qassem mentioned in a pre-recorded speech, his first since he was named the group’s new chief. .
Additionally learn: Israeli troops seize about 100 Hamas militants in northern Gaza hospital, military says
However Hezbollah “won’t beg for a ceasefire,” he added, noting that political efforts to safe an settlement have but to yield outcomes.
“There is no such thing as a mission proposed that Israel agrees to and that we are able to talk about,” he mentioned.
Learn additionally: Record of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders Israel has killed since October 7, 2023
Qassem replaces Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated by Israel on September 27 after greater than 30 years on the helm.
He takes energy whereas Hezbollah is locked in an all-out warfare with Israel, which stepped up assaults on its strongholds and despatched floor forces throughout the border final month.
“Depart our land to scale back your losses. Should you keep, you’ll pay greater than you may have ever paid in your life,” Qassem mentioned, including that Hezbollah might preserve combating “for days, weeks and months.”
He acknowledged that Israel’s assassination of Nasrallah and different senior Hezbollah figures dealt the group a “painful” blow.
However he mentioned Hezbollah “has begun to recuperate by filling within the gaps, appointing different leaders and beginning to work to arrange every part.”
Qassem additionally pledged to take care of the warfare technique established by his predecessor.
“My work program is a continuation of the work program of our chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah,” he mentioned, vowing to press forward with “the warfare plan that he developed.”
Qassem’s feedback got here after Israeli Vitality Minister Eli Cohen mentioned Israel’s safety cupboard is discussing the phrases of a truce with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
“There are discussions, I feel it can nonetheless take time,” Cohen advised Israeli public radio.
In line with Israeli TV Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with ministers on Tuesday (October 29) evening about Israel’s calls for in alternate for a 60-day truce.
These embody a withdrawal of Hezbollah north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, the deployment of the Lebanese military alongside the border, a global intervention mechanism to implement the truce, and a assure that Israel will preserve freedom of motion. in case of threats.
In line with Israeli media, US President Joe Biden’s Center East adviser Brett McGurk and particular envoy Amos Hochstein will head to the area on Wednesday to fulfill with Netanyahu and different Israeli officers to debate situations for a ceasefire. hearth with Hezbollah.
Printed – October 30, 2024 09:56 pm IST
