Hezbollah Leader Sets Conditions for Peace with Israel

In a significant statement that could shape the future of regional stability, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Kassem, has outlined the group's conditions for a lasting peace with Israel, even as a 10-day ceasefire holds. Speaking from Lebanon, Kassem affirmed Hezbollah's readiness to work with the Lebanese government but underscored that any durable peace agreement with Israel must meet specific, non-negotiable demands.

“

Hezbollah is completely ready to cooperate with the Lebanese government, but at the same time, it sets challenging conditions for a long-term peace agreement with Israel.

Kassem's conditions are clear and direct: a permanent cessation of all Israeli attacks targeting Lebanon and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese soil. These demands reflect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, asserting that peace cannot be achieved while Israeli forces occupy or conduct military operations within its borders. The Hezbollah leader stressed that a ceasefire is a two-way street, requiring commitment from both sides, and cautioned against a return to ineffective diplomatic processes that leave Lebanon vulnerable to continued aggression.

“

A ceasefire cannot come from one side; it must be observed by both sides.

The context of these demands is crucial. Hezbollah, widely considered to possess military capabilities exceeding that of the Lebanese army itself, operates with a degree of autonomy that complicates international efforts to disarm the group. Past ceasefire agreements, including one brokered by the US in 2024, have seen neither Israeli withdrawal nor Hezbollah disarmament fully implemented, highlighting the deep-seated complexities of the conflict.

“

Hezbollah will not accept a repeat of waiting for futile diplomatic efforts while facing aggression.

Furthermore, Kassem highlighted the humanitarian cost of the ongoing conflict, noting that hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese citizens are unable to return to their homes. He implied that the presence of Israeli forces exacerbates this displacement, making their withdrawal a prerequisite for any meaningful return to normalcy. The statement from Hezbollah, as reported by Tuổi Trẻ, underscores the group's position as a powerful actor in the region, whose demands cannot be ignored in any serious peace negotiations. The Lebanese perspective, as articulated by Kassem, prioritizes national security, territorial integrity, and the return of its displaced populations, setting a high bar for any potential resolution with Israel.

“

Peace will depend on whether hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese people can return home.