Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem said in a televised address on Tuesday that he was ready to discuss a ceasefire with Israel without setting conditions for an end to Israeli operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Lebanese terror group appears to have backed away from these demands after Israeli forces removed its second leader within two weeks.
Qassem supported Lebanese parliament speaker Navi Berri, an ally of Hezbollah but not technically a member. Qasem is the first Hezbollah leader to support a ceasefire with Israel without also calling for an end to the war in Gaza.
Kasem might be too. of The current leadership of Hezbollah depends on the fate of Hashem Saffieddin, the most likely successor to longtime dictator Hassan Nasrallah.
Nasrallah is killed On September 28, a precision airstrike by the Israeli military killed Nasrallah's cousin Saffieddin, a senior Hezbollah decision-maker and cleric, along with several other Hezbollah leaders. Saw The most likely candidate to replace him is the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). killed he Last Thursday's airstrike was likely accompanied by Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani.
Israeli Defense Minister Job Gallant said On Tuesday, it announced that Mr. Saffieddin had “probably” died and Hezbollah had become a “leaderless organization.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes a firmer stand said Mr. Saffieddin died on Tuesday.
“We have degraded Hezbollah's capabilities and eliminated thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself, Nasrallah's successors, and his successors,” Netanyahu said in a message to the Lebanese people.
It was not immediately clear who Netanyahu was referring to when he said his “successor” was dead, unless he was confusing Mr. Qasem's mind. He may have been talking about Suhail Husseini, Hezbollah's budget and logistics chief. removal The IDF announced on Tuesday.
“Right now, Lebanese people, you are at a critical crossroads. It's your choice. Now you can take back your country. You can put it back on the path to peace and prosperity,” he said. said.
“If you don't, Hezbollah will continue to try to fight Israel from populated areas at your expense,” he warned.
Only Kasem, 71, serious rival With Saffieddin installed as Hezbollah's new boss, he may have simply taken over the top position by default. he tried to hit something rebellious tone In a televised address, he insisted that Hezbollah's military capabilities remain effective despite “severe blows” from the IDF.
“Dozens of cities are within range of the Resistance's missiles. I assure you that there is no problem with our capabilities,” he claimed.
“In any case, once the ceasefire issue has materialized and diplomacy achieves it, all other details can be discussed and a decision taken. If the enemy continues the war, the battlefield will decide,” he said. .
Israel's Y Net News considered Qassem's announcement was likely “coordinated with Iran.” According to this analysis, the Iranians are desperate to maintain Hezbollah's remaining strength so that it can re-establish itself as a serious threat in the coming years.
“Although Qassem presents this proposal as a cease-fire agreement for Hezbollah, it is clearly a desperate demand born of the group's difficult situation and may even suggest a tacit admission of defeat. “The next step will be to see how Israel and potential mediators react and whether Lebanon will intervene to help end the war,” Ynet News postulated. .
Mr. Qasem's statement may also have been intended as bait for the Biden administration, which has positioned itself as a ceasefire broker and is in a near frenzy to pressure Israel into withdrawal.
“We will regularly consult with Israelis, Lebanese and others about the appropriate time to seek such an agreement,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. said on monday.
