In recent weeks, Israel has intensified its bombardments against Hezbollah, leading to substantial casualties. A striking scene unfolded inside a Beirut hospital, where injured individuals were receiving medical attention.
Naim Qassem, the Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, recently stated that despite the group’s substantial losses from Israeli strikes, its military capabilities remain unaffected. He showed support for Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s efforts to initiate a ceasefire. In a response, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller commented on October 8 that Hezbollah’s recent call for a ceasefire suggests the organization is currently at a disadvantage and “suffering severe blows.”
During a televised address on October 8, Qassem acknowledged the “painful strikes” Hezbollah has faced from Israel but emphasized that the group is still maintaining its operational strength. He reaffirmed his backing for Berri’s ceasefire initiative.
Miller pointed out that the international community has been advocating for a ceasefire over the past year, but Hezbollah has persistently rejected these calls. He noted, “Now that Hezbollah is at a disadvantage and severely impacted, they have suddenly changed their stance to call for a ceasefire.”
He further highlighted that the U.S. is committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, stressing that the ultimate aim remains achieving a peace agreement.
When asked whether the U.S. is discussing the Lebanese presidential election with Berri, Miller clarified that U.S. officials are in dialogue with various stakeholders in Lebanon, typically using intermediaries. He concluded, “These discussions are ongoing, and I believe it’s not helpful to publicly disclose details at this time.”
