New Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem says will accept ceasefire with Israel if terms 'suitable'

Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem open to ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms, awaiting viable deal presentation.

Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem on Wednesday (October 30, 2024) said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented.

Qassem, who was named Hezbollah secretary-general on Tuesday (October 29), did not explicitly link a Lebanon ceasefire to an end to fighting in Gaza, a position previously held by the Iran-backed group.

"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," Qassem said in a pre-recorded speech, his first since he was named the group's new leader.

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But Hezbollah "will not beg for a ceasefire", he added, noting that political efforts to secure a deal have yet to yield results.

"No project has been proposed that Israel agrees to and that we can discuss," he said.

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