New Hezbollah chief Qassem says open to Israel truce if an offer is made

News that mediators are preparing a new truce proposal came against the backdrop of the latest round of deadly Israeli strikes targeting Hamas in Gaza.

Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem said on Wednesday that while the Iran-backed militant group would not "beg for a ceasefire", it was open to one from Israel if certain terms were met. Qassem's first speech since taking over came as Israel's security cabinet met to discuss a possible truce, but also as Israel attacked the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek and said it had killed another senior Hezbollah commander.

Hezbollah's new leader on Wednesday said the beleaguered Lebanese movement could agree to a ceasefire under certain terms, as Israeli forces expand their bombardment of the group's bastions.

Naim Qassem's statement came as Israel's security cabinet met to discuss a possible truce, but also as Israel attacked the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek and said it had killed another senior Hezbollah commander.

Read moreLive: Hezbollah's new leader says he will uphold predecessor Nasrallah's 'war plan'

In his first speech since taking over, Qassem said Hezbollah could continue to resist Israeli air and ground attacks in Lebanon for months.

But he also opened the door to a negotiated truce, if presented with an Israeli offer.

(AFP)


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