U.S. President-elect Donald Trump recently urged the Biden administration to pursue a ceasefire on the Lebanese front before his departure from office. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his top advisor to the United States for negotiations, while the Chief of Staff approved a plan to expand Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon as leverage in potential negotiations. In response, Hezbollah has asserted that it possesses sufficient weapons, equipment, and resources for a prolonged conflict.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer traveled to the U.S. to engage in ceasefire discussions with Hezbollah representatives. Reports indicate that President-elect Trump conveyed a message to the Joe Biden administration underscoring the need for progress toward a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to Israeli media, Ron Dermer, a close ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Minister of Strategic Affairs, recently made a secret visit to Russia as part of efforts to broker peace with Hezbollah. His office, playing a key role in ceasefire negotiations, did not comment on the details of the Russian visit.
Additionally, Axios reported that Dermer will meet with Trump in the U.S. to continue discussions around achieving a ceasefire.
Netanyahu stated in a video message following a cabinet meeting that he had held three important meetings with U.S. President-elect Trump in recent days.
A report by Yedioth Ahronot, citing unnamed U.S. officials, noted that Trump had conveyed a message to the Biden administration about the urgency of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Senior U.S. adviser Amos Hochstein expressed confidence that the two sides could reach an agreement to end over a year of hostilities and Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Israeli president’s office confirmed that President Isaac Herzog would meet with Biden at the White House on Tuesday.
Hezbollah spokesman Mohammed Afifi announced that Hezbollah is well-prepared with ample weapons, equipment, and materials for a long-term conflict on all fronts.
During a press conference marking Martyrs’ Day at the Sayyid al-Shuhada complex in Beirut’s Dahieh area, a Hezbollah stronghold, Afifi criticized Israel’s tactics. He stated, “You will never win your war with air superiority or by killing civilians, women, and children. Without effective ground control, you will not achieve your political goals, and the people of the north will never return.” Afifi further addressed Israeli claims that only 20% of Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal remains, emphasizing that they were actively targeting Tel Aviv, Haifa, and parts of the Golan Heights.
“We have enough weapons, equipment, and materials for a prolonged conflict,” Afifi reiterated, adding that Hezbollah maintains a strong relationship with the Lebanese army, despite ongoing efforts to divide them.
Since October 8, the Israeli army has been engaged in controlled skirmishes with Hezbollah, intensifying its attacks on Lebanon’s southern cities and on the Bekaa, Baalbek, and southern Beirut regions. Israel’s objective appears to be pushing Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that 3,189 people have been killed, including 194 children and 621 women, with 14,778 wounded since the outbreak of violence on October 8.
