Naim Qassem Signals Possible Shift in Hezbollah’s Stance Amid Escalating Tensions with Israel
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, announced the group’s support for ceasefire efforts in Lebanon in a televised address on Tuesday, a notable development amid rising tensions and ongoing Israeli military operations in the region. For the first time, Qassem’s remarks did not include a reference to a ceasefire deal in Gaza as a condition for halting Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, marking a potential shift in the group’s policy.
Hezbollah’s Support for Lebanon Ceasefire
Speaking on behalf of Hezbollah, Qassem expressed the group’s backing for efforts led by Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, to negotiate a ceasefire aimed at halting hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. “We support the political activity being led by Berri under the title of a ceasefire,” Qassem said in his 30-minute address.
In the speech, Qassem acknowledged that further diplomatic efforts would be necessary to bring about a ceasefire, stating, “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.” This statement hints at Hezbollah’s willingness to explore a pause in fighting in Lebanon, which has seen increased Israeli ground incursions and heavy airstrikes in recent weeks.
However, Qassem also emphasized that Hezbollah’s military capabilities remained intact and that the group was prepared for continued clashes with Israeli forces if necessary. “If the enemy (Israel) continues its war, then the battlefield will decide,” he added, striking a defiant tone.
A Possible Shift from Gaza Truce Precondition
Qassem’s omission of a Gaza ceasefire as a condition for halting Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel is significant. Previously, Hezbollah’s leadership had consistently maintained that it would not stop its fire until a ceasefire was reached in Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in intense conflict with Hamas following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.
This shift comes as Hezbollah faces increasing pressure from Israeli strikes, which have targeted the group’s strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli military has expanded its operations along Lebanon’s southern border, resulting in the deaths of several senior Hezbollah figures, including Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and another top leader, Hashem Safieddine.
Hezbollah’s Stance in a Protracted Conflict
Despite the heavy blows suffered by the group, Qassem reiterated Hezbollah’s resolve to continue its fight. He characterized the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel as a “war about who cries first” and assured supporters that Hezbollah would not be the one to falter. While acknowledging the “painful blows” delivered by Israeli forces, he affirmed that the group’s infrastructure and fighting capacity remained strong.
Qassem’s address follows escalating violence along the Israel-Lebanon border, which has drawn the attention of international diplomats seeking to prevent further escalation. His remarks on Tuesday marked his second major televised address since the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel intensified in September 2023.
Sheikh Naim Qassem: A Veteran of Hezbollah’s Leadership
Sheikh Naim Qassem has been a prominent figure in Hezbollah for more than 30 years. Born in 1953 in Beirut to a family from southern Lebanon, Qassem’s political activism began with the Lebanese Shi’ite Amal Movement. He left Amal in 1979, influenced by Iran’s Islamic Revolution, which had a profound impact on many young Lebanese Shi’ites at the time.
Qassem was instrumental in the formation of Hezbollah, which was established in 1982 with the backing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. He was appointed deputy secretary general of the group in 1991 by then-leader Abbas al-Musawi, and he retained his position when Nasrallah took over as secretary general after Musawi’s assassination by Israeli forces in 1992.
As Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Qassem has played a key role in shaping the group’s policies and strategies. He has been the general coordinator of Hezbollah’s parliamentary election campaigns since the group first participated in Lebanon’s elections in 1992. Qassem has also authored a history of Hezbollah, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the organization.
Current Conflict and Future Prospects
Qassem’s latest remarks suggest that Hezbollah may be willing to consider a ceasefire in Lebanon, even if a Gaza truce remains elusive. However, the omission of Gaza from the group’s current demands could also reflect the growing strain on Hezbollah as it faces increased Israeli military pressure.
Despite Hezbollah’s readiness for continued conflict, the group’s participation in ceasefire discussions led by Nabih Berri points to potential openings for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Yet, with Hezbollah still maintaining a defiant posture, the situation remains volatile, and future developments are uncertain.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community is closely watching Hezbollah’s actions and statements, particularly as diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire gain momentum. Whether Hezbollah’s omission of a Gaza truce in its ceasefire conditions signals a strategic shift or merely a tactical pause remains to be seen. However, the group’s readiness to engage in political dialogue offers a potential avenue for de-escalation in the region.
(With inputs from agencies)
