Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem rejected Israeli conditions for a ceasefire during a speech on Wednesday, declaring that Israel “cannot impose its conditions on us.” His remarks came as US envoy Amos Hochstein traveled to Israel to mediate a truce in the escalating war, which began in September after nearly a year of border tensions.
The conflict has seen Israel deploy ground forces in southern Lebanon, with three soldiers killed on Wednesday, bringing its total losses to 52 in these operations. Hezbollah has vowed to respond to Israeli strikes, threatening to target central Tel Aviv while insisting on Lebanon’s sovereignty and an end to hostilities.
Hochstein, after meeting Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, expressed optimism, stating an end to the conflict could be near. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stressed that any ceasefire must preserve Israel’s ability to act against Hezbollah.
The war has resulted in over 3,544 deaths in Lebanon, including 200 children, according to UN reports, and has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where 43,985 have died amid severe shortages of basic supplies. Jordan sent helicopters carrying aid to Gaza on Wednesday, marking its first delivery in over a year.
Southern Lebanon remains a battleground, with Israeli forces clashing with Hezbollah near Khiam and Kfarshuba. Israel claims to have hit 100 Hezbollah targets in a day, while Hezbollah reports targeting Israeli bases and towns. Meanwhile, tensions extend to Syria, where Israeli airstrikes recently killed 36 people in Palmyra.
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