Hezbollah claims commitment to upholding ceasefire with Israel

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, has reaffirmed its commitment to uphold its side of the ceasefire with Israel, despite pressures from Iran to retaliate following the assassination of Senior commander Haitham Ali Tabatabai, The National reported on November 26th. 

Haitham Ali Tabatabai was killed alongside four Hezbollah fighters by an Israeli strike. This comes one year into a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in which targeted assassinations by Israel on Hezbollah officials appeared to become less frequent. 

A political official, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested the group will not respond militarily, calling the commander’s killing a “natural outcome” of the ongoing confrontation rather than a trigger for escalation. 

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have risen despite the ceasefire, as Israel continues to strike southern Lebanon under the pretext of defense, due to Hezbollah remaining armed. Hezbollah has resisted disarmament due to Israeli presence in Lebanon south, however they claim to maintain their position of upholding the ceasefire. 

A senior Iranian diplomat responsible for Hezbollah relations, asserted that the group “makes its own decisions”. This is despite calls for “revenge” by  Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The remarks come as Hezbollah faces its most serious internal crisis since it was founded in the 1980s by the IRGC, having suffered heavy losses in the war with Israel, including its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, key commanders as well as fighters.

Hezbollah officials have said they support President Joseph Aoun’s call for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Lebanese areas and for an end to Israeli attacks, although they remain cautious about any negotiation framework with Israel.

The Iranian diplomat denied claims that Tehran directs Hezbollah’s actions, stressing that coordination exists but decisions are ultimately made independently.

Officials warn that ambiguity, restraint, and reliance on political channels may currently serve Lebanon better than open confrontation, as the fragile ceasefire remains under threat. 

The National, Maghrebi.org