In a momentous announcement, the leader of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, declared the cease-fire agreement with Israel as a “divine victory” for the Lebanese political party and militant group. Speaking from an undisclosed location, Qassem proclaimed on November 29 that Hezbollah had emerged triumphant by preventing its enemy from annihilating the organization and undermining Lebanon’s resistance.
This address marked Qassem’s first public statement since the cease-fire took effect on November 27. He emphasized that Hezbollah’s success lay in safeguarding its existence and thwarting attempts to weaken its position within Lebanon. The Iran-backed group controls vast territories in southern Lebanon and maintains representation in parliament. While designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, only its military wing has been blacklisted by the European Union.
The cease-fire brings an end to nearly 14 months of intense confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah. In October, Israel escalated hostilities by launching a ground offensive in southern Lebanon while carrying out extensive aerial bombardments on Hezbollah strongholds across Beirut and other areas.
Under the terms of the truce, Hezbollah must withdraw from southern Lebanon entirely. Simultaneously, Israel is obligated to remove its ground forces from Lebanese territory within 60 days of the agreement’s implementation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously cautioned Hezbollah that any violations of the cease-fire would be met with decisive action from Israel. Hours before Qassem delivered his speech, Israel reported striking a Hezbollah rocket launcher in southern Lebanon after detecting militant activity.
The United States and France have assumed responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this significant truce. The agreement includes provisions for deploying thousands of Lebanese soldiers to work alongside UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon to ensure Hezbollah remains at a distance from the Israeli border.
Hezbollah had been launching rockets into northern Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023. The group had vowed to cease its attacks only after Israel ended its military campaign in Gaza.
Throughout the past 14 months, Israel inflicted significant damage on Hezbollah, eliminating a substantial portion of its leadership, including Qassem’s predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, and severely depleting the group’s military arsenal.
Israel remains resolute in preventing Iran from providing financial support and weaponry to Hezbollah. Furthermore, it has warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against facilitating Iranian aid to the militant organization.
The cease-fire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel not only signifies a temporary halt to hostilities but also represents a pivotal moment in Lebanese politics. With its claim of a “divine victory,” Hezbollah intends to solidify its position as a key player within Lebanon’s complex political landscape. As regional dynamics continue to evolve, only time will reveal the long-term implications of this momentous truce.
