WANA (Apr 17) – As a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon at midnight Thursday, senior Hezbollah figures offered a revealing account of the behind-the-scenes dynamics, highlighting Iran’s role, regional diplomatic contacts, and what they describe as Israel’s failure to achieve its objectives.

 

Hussein al-Hajj Hassan, a member of Hezbollah’s “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc in the Lebanese parliament, told Al Mayadeen that the ceasefire was reached “as a result of clear Iranian pressure.” He stated that Donald Trump ultimately yielded to this pressure, which in turn compelled Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the agreement.

 

Al-Hajj Hassan also pointed to ongoing contacts between Saudi Arabia and Iran, describing them as an additional factor that contributed to securing the ceasefire. He emphasized that, despite the conflict, Israel had failed to meet its declared goals, noting that key areas such as Bint Jbeil and Khiam remain outside Israeli control.

 

Warning of potential violations, he stated that “Israel is prone to breaking agreements,” adding that Hezbollah is closely monitoring Israel’s compliance, including any attacks on civilian areas or a return to targeted killings. According to him, the core demands remain Israeli withdrawal, the return of detainees and displaced persons, reconstruction efforts, and a complete halt to hostilities.

 

He also referenced a recent call between Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Nabih Berri, suggesting that Lebanon is directly involved in ongoing negotiations with the United States.

 

In parallel, a senior Hezbollah official, speaking to Al-Araby TV, said the group had been informed by Iran that a ceasefire agreement had been reached, describing it as the outcome of “Islamabad talks and Iran’s persistence.” He added that Hezbollah would give diplomacy a chance but stressed that continued Israeli presence on Lebanese soil grants Lebanon the “right to resist.”

 

Ali Fayyad echoed similar points in remarks to Al Jazeera, crediting Iran’s pressure alongside efforts by Pakistan and cooperation from Saudi Arabia. He warned that the 10-day timeframe is insufficient to resolve the crisis and described the current phase as “highly complex.”

 

Fayyad also cautioned against direct negotiations with Israel, arguing that such a move could trigger internal tensions within Lebanon, and instead called for a return to indirect talks.

 

On the Israeli side, the Hebrew newspaper Maariv reported growing concerns within the military establishment that the ceasefire could evolve into a form of guerrilla warfare, potentially exposing Israeli forces to new risks. Israeli assessments, cited by Al Mayadeen, suggest that the ceasefire is being viewed internally as a form of U.S. retreat in the face of Iranian pressure.

 

While the ceasefire is now in effect, the situation remains fragile, with all sides closely watching developments amid uncertainty over what comes next.