Naim Kassem, recently named Hezbollah’s new leader after Hassan Nasrallah’s reported death in an Israeli airstrike, has affirmed that Hezbollah will persist in fighting Israel until a cease-fire is achieved under terms acceptable to the group. In his first public address since assuming leadership, Kassem stated that Hezbollah would not seek an immediate truce but would consider cessation under specific conditions. This message comes as Israel continues its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, maintaining its stated goal of reducing the groups’ capabilities along its borders.
Israel’s security cabinet is reportedly discussing a potential 60-day truce with Hezbollah, with conditions that include Hezbollah’s retreat north of the Litani River and a Lebanese army presence along the border. An enforcement mechanism involving international intervention is also proposed to uphold the cease-fire. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has claimed significant degradation of Hezbollah’s missile capabilities, estimating their resources are now at 20% of previous levels due to sustained military pressure.
Amidst the conflict, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced concerns about Israeli legislation that would bar the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating in Gaza. He warned of severe humanitarian consequences for Palestinian refugees if the legislation proceeds, emphasizing that it could violate international obligations. Israel’s envoy to the U.N. countered that UNRWA has become a “front for Hamas.”
Meanwhile, international mediators, including U.S. officials Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, are en route to the Middle East for discussions aimed at de-escalating tensions in both Lebanon and Gaza. The outcome of these diplomatic efforts remains uncertain as both Israeli and Hezbollah forces intensify their military activities, with the potential for further escalation looming if negotiations do not yield a mutually acceptable truce.
