Hezbollah claims unparalleled victory against Israel amid ceasefire

In Lebanon, the recent conflict has escalated markedly since Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah, in solidarity with their Palestinian allies, engaged in low-intensity exchanges of fire which triggered an intense military response from Israel, involving air strikes and ground troop incursions into Lebanese territory. This cycle of violence has resulted in significant casualties, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting 3,961 deaths, predominantly within the last few weeks, alongside over 16,520 injuries. Conversely, Israel noted deaths of 82 soldiers and 47 civilians during the hostilities with Hezbollah. On the heels of this violence, a ceasefire was initiated on Wednesday, allowing for both Hezbollah and Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, paving the way for the deployment of the Lebanese military alongside United Nations peacekeepers. Hezbollah's chief, Naim Qassem, proclaimed the commitment to bolster Lebanon's defense capabilities, emphasizing coordination between Hezbollah's forces and the Lebanese army as crucial for the agreement's implementation. In a televised address, Qassem characterized the situation as a 'great victory' for Hezbollah and highlighted the organization's resilience, insisting that their support for Palestine would continue despite the ceasefire. His remarks indicated a strong sense of accomplishment following the military engagements with Israel, particularly noting that the recent outcomes eclipsed achievements from past conflicts, including that of July 2006. Moreover, the ceasefire agreement includes a stipulation for a 60-day period where Lebanese military forces are to establish a presence in southern Lebanon, during which Israeli forces are expected to hold their positions but begin a phased withdrawal, ensuring that a power vacuum is not created that could be exploited by Hezbollah or other groups.