Hezbollah Declares Victory After Ceasefire with Israel
Naim Qassem, the leader of the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, proclaimed a “great victory” following the agreement of a ceasefire with Israel. In a recorded speech released on Friday, Qassem stated “officially and clearly that we are on the verge of a great victory that surpasses that of July 2006,”. He asserted, “We won because we prevented the enemy from destroying Hezbollah and wiping out or weakening the resistance.”
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, came into effect on Wednesday after over a year of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israeli troops are to gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon within a 60-day period. Hezbollah is also expected to withdraw from the border region beyond the Litani River.
Commitment to Cooperation with Lebanese Army
On Friday, Qassem pledged to collaborate closely with the Lebanese army to ensure the effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement. He expressed his confidence that there would be “no problems or conflict” with the Lebanese military, marking his first public statement since the ceasefire took hold.
Following Hamas’s major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah, which maintains close ties with the Islamist Palestinian organization, launched a second front against Israel by conducting regular rocket attacks from southern Lebanon. In retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Since September, the Israeli army significantly intensified its attacks and initiated ground operations in southern Lebanon at the end of the month.
This latest conflict marked the second major confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in recent history. The two sides previously engaged in a protracted and costly war during the summer of 2006. The aftermath of that conflict resulted in the passing of UN Resolution 1701, which stipulated that only troops from the UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, and the Lebanese army would be deployed in the border area with Israel. Despite this resolution, Hezbollah remained present in the region.
What is the significance of Hezbollah’s declaration of victory following the ceasefire agreement with Israel?
## Interview: Hezbollah Leader Declares Victory After Ceasefire
**Host:** Joining us now is Dr. Sarah Cohen, a leading expert on Middle Eastern politics and conflict resolution. Dr. Cohen, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has declared a “great victory” following the ceasefire agreement with Israel. How should we interpret this statement?
**Dr. Cohen:** This is certainly a provocative statement, and typical of Hezbollah’s rhetoric. It’s important to remember that Hezbollah frames its conflict with Israel in ideological terms, as a struggle for liberation and resistance. Qassem’s claim of victory likely stems from the fact that despite more than a year of conflict, Hezbollah remains intact and has not been militarily defeated.
**Host:** But isn’t the ceasefire itself a sign that neither side achieved a decisive victory?
**Dr. Cohen:** Absolutely. Ceasefires are typically the result of a stalemate, where neither side is able to achieve its objectives through military means.
While Hezbollah may spin this as a victory, the reality is likely more nuanced. As the CNN report [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/26/middleeast/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-ceasefire-explainer-intl-latam/index.html)]
points out, accusations of ceasefire violations have already emerged from both sides. This suggests that tensions remain high, and the situation remains fragile.
**Host:** What are the key takeaways from this ceasefire, and what are the prospects for lasting peace?
**Dr. Cohen:** The ceasefire is undoubtedly a positive development, as it brings an end to the immediate violence and suffering. However, it’s important to be realistic about its limitations. This is a temporary truce, not a peace treaty. It addresses the symptoms of the conflict, not the underlying causes. Without a broader political solution addressing the core grievances on both sides, the risk of renewed violence remains very real.
**Host:** Dr. Cohen, thank you for your insightful analysis.