In the new development, Hezbollah’s new leader on Wednesday reported that the beleaguered Lebanese movement could agree to a ceasefire adhering to the certain terms. The statement came as Israeli forces expanded their bombardment of the group’s bastions. The statement came ahead of the meeting of Israel’s security cabinet to discuss a possible truce but also attacked the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek and said it had killed another senior Hezbollah commander.
Lebanon’s premier Najib Mikati said he was “cautiously optimistic” about a ceasefire in “the coming hours or days”.
As reported by broadcaster Al-Jadeed, Mikati said US envoy Amos Hochstein had suggested “that perhaps we could reach a ceasefire in the coming days, before the fifth” of November, when the US election takes place.
Qassem became the leader of the Iran-backed armed movement on Tuesday, following the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, by Israel in a massive airstrike last month.
Demands for Truce
In his first speech he said Hezbollah could continue to resist Israeli air and ground attacks in Lebanon for months. He was also open to negotiate a truce, if presented with an Israeli offer.
“If the Israelis decide that they want to stop the aggression, we say we accept, but under the conditions that we see as appropriate and suitable,” he said.
Qassem however added that Hezbollah had not yet received a credible proposition.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen reported that the country’s security cabinet was meeting to discuss what terms it might offer to secure a truce.
“There are discussions, I think it will still take time,” Cohen, a former intelligence minister, told Israeli public radio.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with ministers late Tuesday to discuss Israel’s demands in exchange for a 60-day truce.
These demands include Hezbollah withdrawing north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and the deployment of the Lebanese army along the frontier.
