Hezbollah Leader Calls for Conditions to Negotiations Amid Ongoing Conflict

In a televised address on Wednesday, newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem outlined conditions for a potential diplomatic settlement to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The speech, broadcast across Lebanon, emphasized that Hezbollah would consider negotiations only after Israel halts its military actions in Lebanon. This announcement marked Qassem's second address since assuming leadership following the assassination of former leader Hassan Nasrallah in September by Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s Stand on Diplomatic Negotiations

Qassem, in a pre-recorded message, asserted that the conflict could end if Israel ceased its operations in Lebanon. He added that indirect negotiations could be facilitated by Nabih Berri, the Lebanese parliamentary president and a Hezbollah ally. However, these talks would proceed only if they assured the complete protection of Lebanese sovereignty, according to Qassem.

“Our conviction is that only one thing can stop this war of aggression, and that is the battlefield,” Qassem said, dismissing political solutions as viable end strategies for the conflict, which has extended for over a year. His statements echoed Hezbollah’s commitment to what he described as a “defensive war of attrition,” fueled by tens of thousands of fighters dedicated to Hezbollah’s cause.

Intensifying Hostilities

The conflict saw a spike in hostilities recently, with Hezbollah launching long-range rockets targeting central Israel during Qassem’s address. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), over 120 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel throughout the day, triggering air raid sirens across towns and cities near Tel Aviv and causing significant property damage.

This escalation follows a pattern of increased cross-border attacks initiated by Hezbollah last October in reaction to a devastating Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, which left over a thousand Israelis dead.

In retaliation, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah assets in southern Beirut, hitting weapon depots, command centers, and other infrastructure. The IDF also reported preparations to expand its ground operations in southern Lebanon, emphasizing a strategy to weaken Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the area.

Impact on Civilians and Regional Stability

Qassem’s statements highlighted the toll of the conflict on Lebanese civilians, describing the casualties and widespread displacement as the “price to pay for victory.” However, tensions within Lebanon have reportedly intensified, with some displaced Shiite groups clashing with other Lebanese communities. Recent health ministry figures indicate that more than 3,000 people, including civilians and Hezbollah fighters, have died in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes over the past year, with over half of these casualties occurring in the last six weeks.

Hezbollah’s actions have likewise resulted in casualties within Israel, where 41 civilians have died since the start of the hostilities, alongside 62 Israeli soldiers lost in ground operations and cross-border skirmishes. Additionally, Hezbollah’s rocket fire led to the recent death of an Israeli teenager, Sivan Sade, and injured several others.

International Response and Strategic Developments

The recent spike in conflict has also drawn international attention, especially given the strategic and symbolic importance of the region. Concerns grew as Israeli airstrikes came dangerously close to the ancient Roman ruins in Baalbek, a UNESCO World Heritage site, sparking fears about the potential destruction of historical landmarks.

Meanwhile, in Israel, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi announced the need to prepare for an expanded offensive. Plans for an intensified ground campaign in Lebanon, designed to secure northern Israel, are in motion. These operations aim to counter Hezbollah’s daily attacks and eliminate the group’s ability to target Israeli civilian areas with rockets and drones.

The Path Forward

While Qassem’s address suggested the possibility of indirect negotiations, his comments underscored Hezbollah’s commitment to a battlefield strategy to end Israeli operations in Lebanon. He also dismissed any potential influence from the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, declaring that the only factor capable of ending the conflict was action on the ground.