Israel Iran War Live Updates: '1300 drones have been launched since start of war,' says IDF

According to fresh IDF data, some 1,300 drones have been launched at Israel since the start of the war last year, from all fronts — Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.

The IDF says that 231 of the drones struck Israel, causing causalities and damage in some cases. Drones that exploded in open areas are also counted as having struck Israel.

Speaking at the end of an IDF combat officers training course at Bahad 1 near Mitzpe Ramon, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu says Israel attacked Iran’s “soft underbelly” in its recent strikes.

“The brash words of the leaders of the regime in Iran cannot cover up the fact that Israel has greater freedom of action in Iran today than ever before. We can reach anywhere in Iran as needed.”

Israel’s rescue service said projectiles fired from Lebanon on Thursday killed two more people in northern Israel, raising death toll there to seven in what's been the deadliest rocket barrage since the Israeli military’s invasion of southern Lebanon.

Magen David Adom, Israel’s main emergency medical organization, said its medics confirmed the deaths of a 30-year-old man and 60-year-old woman in a suburb of the northern city of Haifa. They also treated two other people who suffered mild injuries and were hospitalized.

The Israeli military said that roughly 25 rockets crossed into Israel from Lebanon as part of the volley that struck an olive grove where people had gathered for the harvest.

The deadly attack came just hours after officials in Metula, in northern Israel, said that five people were killed, including four foreign workers, in a rocket barrage Thursday that struck an Israeli agricultural area.

The back-to-back attacks made Thursday one of the deadliest days for civilians in Israel since the Israeli military invaded southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 as part of a widening campaign against the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group.

Israeli finance minister Smotrich, under pressure from US treasury secretary Janet Yellen, will sign a waiver to extend cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian banks for another month after the cabinet agreed, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Smotrich in June extended a waiver that allows cooperation between Israel's banking system and Palestinian banks in the West Bank, but only for four months until the end of October.

The waiver allows Israeli banks to process shekel payments for services and salaries tied to the Palestinian Authority without the risk of being charged with money laundering and funding terrorism. Without it, Palestinian banks would be cut off from the Israeli financial system.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein and US Middle East adviser Brett McGurk on Thursday that any ceasefire deal with Lebanon's Hezbollah would have to guarantee Israeli security.

"The prime minister specified that the main issue is not paperwork for this or that deal, but Israel's determination and capacity to ensure the deal's application and to prevent any threat to its security from Lebanon," Netanyahu's office said after the meeting took place in Jerusalem.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met the envoys separately Thursday for a discussion which he said in a statement focused on "security arrangements as these relate to the northern arena and Lebanon, and efforts to ensure the return of 101 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes on Syria's Qusayr region near the border with Lebanon, where Israel said it hit Hezbollah weapons depots.

The Britain-based war monitor said three strikes targeted the town of Qusayr, where Hezbollah holds sway, and surrounding areas.

One strike targeted "a weapons depot and a fuel storage facility for Hezbollah in the industrial city of Qusayr", killing three and wounding five others, the Observatory said.

The other strikes targeted warehouses near the Lebanese border and a bridge south of Qusayr, according to the war monitor.

The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said "weapons depots and headquarters used by" Hezbollah were hit in the Qusayr region.

Adraee said the strikes sought to thwart attempts to "transfer weapons from Iran via Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon".

The official SANA news agency reported Israeli strikes on Qusayr's industrial zone and some residential neighbourhoods, saying they caused material damage.

The vast land border between Israel and Syria has increasingly come under attack by Israel since its war with Hezbollah erupted last month.

Israeli authorities have uncovered an espionage network allegedly involving a couple working for Iranian intelligence, who were gathering critical information about the infrastructure and sites such as country's top most intelligence agency, Mossad headquarters.

The couple from the town of Lod near Tel Aviv were not only involved in gathering intelligence about national infrastructure but also in surveillance of a female academic, Israeli police said.

"These incidents join a series of thwarted attempts, that have been revealed in recent weeks, in which Israeli citizens were arrested for working on behalf of Iranian intelligence agents and performed specific missions on their behalf," a police source was quoted as telling by Reuters.

The investigation by authorities said that one member of the couple was assigned to monitor an academic target at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies think tank, while on a seperate mission was also tasked by the Iranians to find someone to carry out an assassination. Another individual, originally from Azerbaijan, was also recruited by one of the couple for specific tasks.

"While the INSS is an independent research institute, not part of Israel's defence establishment, it is the country’s leading security research institute, and as such, Iran seeks to harm its people," INSS director, reserve major general Tamir Hayman was quoted as telling.

Israel's security forces said earlier this month they had broken up two separate spy rings on behalf of Iran in Jerusalem and the north of Israel.

Israel has a history of intelligence operations in Iran, allegedly including the assassination in July of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas in a Tehran state guesthouse. Israel has made no claim of responsibility for that killing.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz extended Diwali greetings to External affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday, celebrating the auspicious occasion.
Katz highlighted the shared values between Israel and India, including democracy, freedom, and a mutual vision for a brighter future.

"My friend S Jaishankar, I wish you and the people of India a Happy Diwali 2024! Israel and India share the values of democracy, freedom, and a vision for a brighter future. May this Festival of Light bring us all joy, prosperity, and peace. Happy Diwali," he wrote in a post on X.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti shared heartfelt messages on X (formerly Twitter) to commemorate the Festival of Lights. His posts highlight the cultural significance of Diwali and the enduring bond between the United States and India.

"This Diwali, Indians, and Americans across Mission India are sharing these diyas that bring joy and blessings to all. Join us in the festivities as we celebrate the Festival of Lights with music, dance, festive cheer, and a grateful heart. On behalf of the U.S. Mission in India, I wish everyone a very Happy Diwali."

In his earlier post, Garcetti had spoken about the White House Diwali Celebrations, "What a beautiful celebration of Diwali at the White House! As we celebrate the journey of light, we also honour the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans who deepen the US-India bond. From New Delhi to DC, may the light of Diwali illuminate every corner of the world and spread the message of peace and prosperity."

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said on Thursday that some of the bilateral agreements the kingdom has been negotiating with Washington are "not that tied" to the normalisation of Saudi relations with Israel and are "moving ahead".

Potential US-Saudi agreements about trade and artificial intelligence are "not tied to any third parties" and "can progress probably quite quickly," Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said on stage at an investment conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

"Some of the more significant defence cooperation agreements are much more complicated. We would certainly welcome an opportunity to finish them before the (end of the Biden) administration's term, but that's reliant on other factors outside of our control," he said.

"The other work streams are not that connected, and some of them are progressing quite quickly, and we hope to see moving forward."

Saudi Arabia and the US are looking into a set of agreements on nuclear energy, security and defence cooperation, which were originally all part of a wider normalisation deal with Riyadh and Israel.

US President Joe Biden’s aides originally envisioned, in three-way negotiations before the Oct. 7 attack, for Saudi Arabia to gain US security commitments and US nuclear cooperation in exchange for normalising ties with Israel.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said in May that Washington and Riyadh were close to concluding a set of agreements but cautioned that for normalisation to proceed there must be calm in Gaza and a path to Palestinian statehood.

Lebanon's prime minister condemned Israel Thursday for issuing evacuation warnings for entire areas and called for diplomatic pressure for a halt to its strikes more than a month into the war.

"The threats issued by the Israeli enemy against Lebanese civilians to evacuate entire cities and leave their areas and homes are an additional war crime added to the series of crimes committed by the enemy," Najib Mikati said in a statement, adding that he is "requesting intensified pressure on Israel to stop its aggression".

Projectiles fired from Lebanon into northern Israel killed five people on Thursday, including four foreign workers, authorities said. It was the deadliest such attack since Israeli troops invaded Lebanon earlier this month to battle the Hezbollah militant group.

Hezbollah has been firing rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel for more than a year, drawing retaliatory strikes. Sixty-eight people have been killed in rocket attacks in northern Israel since the conflict began last year.

The Metula regional council reported the attack. The nationalities of the workers were not immediately known.

Metula, Israel's northernmost town which is surrounded by Lebanon on three sides, has suffered heavy damage from rockets. The town's residents evacuated in October 2023, and only security officials and agricultural workers remain. (AP)

Lebanon rocket fire kills five in northern Israel: local council (AFP)

Israeli security forces have broken up a suspected spy ring inside Israel that was working on behalf of Iranian intelligence - the latest such espionage group in weeks to be announced, the Shin Bet and police said on Thursday.

In the new incident, an Israeli couple from the town of Lod near Tel Aviv were arrested for gathering intelligence about national infrastructure and security sites including the Mossad spy agency headquarters, as well as surveillance of a female academic, the Shin Bet security service and the police said.

The ring was part of efforts by Iran to recruit people who had originated in the Caucasus region, they said.

"These incidents join a series of thwarted attempts, that have been revealed in recent weeks, in which Israeli citizens were arrested for working on behalf of Iranian intelligence agents and performed specific missions on their behalf," a Shin Bet source said.

The investigation showed that one of the couple was tasked with tracking an academic target at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) think tank, whom the Iranians wanted to be physically harmed, a joint statement by the police and Shin Bet added.

The suspect was separately asked by the Iranians to look for an assassin for a separate mission. Another person, whose origin was Azerbaijan, was also recruited by one of the couple for specific tasks, the statement said.

The INSS said it was thankful the security services had prevented a planned attack on one of its employees.

"While the INSS is an independent research institute, not part of Israel's defence establishment, it is the country’s leading security research institute, and as such, Iran seeks to harm its people," INSS director, reserve major general Tamir Hayman, added.

A Lebanese security source said one person was killed Thursday by an Israeli strike on a road where a Hezbollah van carrying munitions was hit the previous day.

The drone strike hit the Araya-Kahhale road which links the capital Beirut to Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, said the source, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

It targeted a Mercedes vehicle, killing the driver, the source said, without identifying the victim.

The official National News Agency said a "hostile drone" targeted the car on the key road that passes through the town of Araya.

On Wednesday, an Israeli strike hit a Hezbollah van carrying munitions on the same highway, according to the security source, who said the attack killed the driver.

The same day, municipal authorities in Araya and Kahhale called on the Lebanese army to "intervene immediately" to to stop the road being used to transport weapons or fighters.

The seemingly targeted strikes have grown in frequency since the Israel-Hezbollah war erupted on September 23.

Also on Thursday, an Israeli drone strike hit a motorbike near the coastal town of Naqura, NNA said.

Another motorbike was hit in the eastern Bekaa Valley, it added.

Israeli military said on Thursday it shot down a drone smuggling weapons from Egyptian territory to Israel on Wednesday

The Israeli army issued an evacuation call for several areas of south Lebanon Thursday, including a Palestinian refugee camp, warning it was poised to hit Hezbollah targets in those areas.

"Hezbollah's terrorist activities force the IDF (army) to act forcefully against it in these areas, and we do not intend to harm you," the Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X. Among the areas listed was Rashidieh camp, which houses thousands of Palestinian refugees.

The Israeli army announced an evacuation order for several areas in southern Lebanon on Thursday, including the Rashidieh Palestinian refugee camp. This warning precedes imminent strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in those regions.

In a statement shared via X, Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman, emphasized that "Hezbollah's terrorist activities force the IDF to act forcefully against it in these areas, and we do not intend to harm you."

The evacuation call is likely to warn civilians as the military prepares to conduct operations against Hezbollah militants.

Palestinian officials reported that an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals on Thursday.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike, while a third was shot by Israeli gunfire. The Israeli military confirmed that its forces were targeting militants in the Nur Shams refugee camp, an area that has experienced repeated clashes in recent months.

The military stated that a Hamas militant involved in planning attacks on Israelis was eliminated during the operation.

A couple from Lod, identified as Rafael and Lala Guliyev, has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Tehran, according to the Shin Bet and local police.

As per Times of Israel, officials informed that Rafael Guliyev was tasked with locating an assassin for his Iranian handlers.

The couple is accused of conducting intelligence-gathering missions targeting security and national infrastructure sites in Israel. They also reportedly tracked an academic affiliated with a security think tank, indicating a potential intent to harm her.

The Guliyevs, both approximately 32 years old, were allegedly recruited as part of an Iranian ring that seeks out Israelis from the Caucasus immigrant community. They are believed to have been recruited by an Israeli of Azerbaijani descent. Rafael was specifically tasked with surveillance of critical security sites, including the headquarters of the Mossad while gathering information on the academics associated with the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). Lala is said to have assisted her husband in these missions.

The authorities have not disclosed whether the couple was motivated by financial incentives or ideological beliefs. A Shin Bet official highlighted the case as another example of Iranian intelligence agencies' ongoing efforts to recruit and exploit Israeli citizens for espionage and terrorist activities within Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of Muhammad Khalil Alian, a commander of Hezbollah's anti-tank guided missile unit, in an airstrike targeting the village of Burj Qallawiyah in southern Lebanon, reported Times of Israel.

Alian was responsible for Hezbollah's operations against Israel in the Ramim Ridge area.

In a related incident, the IDF reported that a drone strike on a group of Hezbollah operatives in Mazraat al-Yahoudiyeh, near Tyre, resulted in the death of several members who had previously launched a missile at an Israeli Air Force drone.

These developments occur as the IDF's 91st and 146th divisions continue their operations against Hezbollah in the region.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that clashes are ongoing in Jabalia as its northern Gaza offensive advances.

IDF officials stated that dozens of terror targets and weapons storage facilities have been hit in the area.

Additionally, in central Gaza, IDF troops destroyed a site used for munitions production, aiming to weaken militant capabilities in the region.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced scheduled tests of rocket sirens on Thursday in two northern communities. Sirens will be heard in Me’ona at 10:05 am and in Ben Ami at 12:05 pm (local time), reported Times of Israel.

In case of a real attack, the IDF notes the sirens will sound twice, distinguishing them from the test alerts. These tests are part of routine checks to ensure readiness in the region.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are currently conducting a counter-terror raid in the Nur Shams area of the central West Bank, reported Times of Israel.

This operation includes coordination among army forces, Shin Bet, and police. An airstrike has targeted gunmen who opened fire at IDF troops during the operation.

The raid follows the recent killing of Hussam al-Malah, a notable Hamas member identified as planning imminent terror attacks.

The White House has urged Iran not to retaliate against Israel's recent actions, asserting that any such response would draw support for Israel from the United States, reported the news agency Reuters.

During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “Iran should not respond to Israel’s retaliation. They should not… If they do, we will support Israel in defending itself, but they should not.”

Iran has vowed to deliver a “definitive and painful” response to Israel's recent attack on its territory, with expectations that this may occur before the US presidential election on November 5, according to an anonymous senior source cited by CNN. The source, who is privy to discussions within Iran, indicated that the Islamic Republic will not overlook what it terms "Zionist regime’s aggression."

Israel has been on alert for a possible Iranian counteraction following its own strike, which was a retaliation for Iran's ballistic missile barrage on October 1. Despite this, Iran appears to be assessing its approach, with indications that it may seek to mitigate its response rather than escalate tensions significantly.

Israel has issued warnings to Tehran, stating that any further attacks on its territory will provoke a firm and resolute response.

Israeli special forces have killed a Hamas operative in Tulkarem, West Bank, who was reportedly planning imminent terror attacks.

The operation, involving the police's Yamam counter-terrorism unit and the Shin Bet intelligence agency, targeted Hussam al-Malah, identified as a key member of Hamas.

In a joint statement, officials indicated that al-Malah was connected to recent attacks in the area, working alongside fellow Hamas operatives Islam Odeh and Zahi Oufi, both of whom were killed by Israeli forces in separate operations.

Following their deaths, al-Malah continued to lead the Hamas network in Tulkarem and was actively engaged in planning a significant terror attack to coincide with the October 7 anniversary, reported Times of Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that it successfully shot down a drone originating from Lebanon shortly after sirens were activated in Nahariya and nearby towns in Western Galilee. The drone incident raised alarms among residents, prompting an immediate response from the IDF.

In addition to the drone threat, the IDF confirmed that several rockets launched from Lebanon landed in open areas of the Upper Galilee region. No injuries or damage were reported from the missile strikes, reported Times of Israel.

Israel’s minister of defense Yoav Galant and IDF chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi have approved the formation of a new eastern division aimed at enhancing the security of Israel’s eastern border. This decision follows a thorough evaluation of operational requirements and defence capabilities in light of lessons learned from recent conflicts and the current security situation.

Subordinated to the IDF’s central command, the new division's mission is to bolster defence along the eastern border, particularly along Highway 90, which stretches from the Dead Sea to Eilat. It will focus on addressing terrorist threats, preventing arms smuggling, and fostering a peaceful border environment through cooperation with the Jordanian army.

General Halevi stated that the goal of strengthening border security, especially on the eastern front, was identified prior to the recent conflict. In the wake of the October 7 events, this initiative has gained renewed urgency. He noted the importance of creating additional regular and reserve frameworks to alleviate the strain on reserve personnel.

"This establishment is crucial in light of anticipated challenges and aligns with the IDF's force-building strategies," he added, underscoring the importance of proactive measures for national defence.

Hezbollah's new leader on Wednesday said the beleaguered Lebanese movement could agree to a ceasefire under certain terms, as Israeli forces expand their bombardment of the group's bastions.
Naim Qassem's statement came as Israel's security cabinet met to discuss a possible truce, but also as Israel attacked the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek and said it had killed another senior Hezbollah commander.

Lebanon's premier Najib Mikati said he was "cautiously optimistic" about a ceasefire in "the coming hours or days".

Lebanon's prime minister expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire deal with Israel would be announced within days as Israel's public broadcaster published what it said was a draft agreement providing for an initial 60-day truce.

The document, which broadcaster Kan said was a leaked proposal written by Washington, said Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of the 60-day ceasefire. It largely aligned with details reported earlier by Reuters based on two sources familiar with the matter.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he had not believed a deal would be possible until after Tuesday's U.S. presidential election. But he said he became more optimistic after speaking on Wednesday with U.S. envoy for the Middle East Amos Hochstein, who was due to travel to Israel on Thursday.

Israeli strikes killed 19 people including eight women in two towns in Lebanon's Baalbek region, the Lebanese health ministry said on Wednesday.

Senior US officials were traveling to Israel to seek progress on deals to end the Gaza and Lebanon wars, the State Department confirmed.
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"Two White House officials, Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, are traveling to Israel to engage on issues including a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon, as well as how we get to an end to the conflict in Gaza," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

The Lebanese health ministry reported that Israeli military strikes on Sohmor, located in the eastern Bekaa Valley, resulted in 11 fatalities and 15 injuries.

"The successive raids by the Israeli enemy on the town of Sohmor in west Bekaa... resulted in the martyrdom of 11 people and the injury of 15 others," according to the official statement released by the health ministry.

The Israel Defense Forces announced that it conducted strikes on fuel storage facilities within Hezbollah's military logistics support installations in Lebanon's Bekaa area.

Reuters received confirmation from a Lebanese source that a significant blast, which produced a large dark smoke plume, resulted from attacks targeting Hezbollah's fuel depots.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking from Colombia, urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while calling for a "just peace" in Ukraine and substantial humanitarian aid for Gaza’s civilians, as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas. He also advocated for respect for Lebanese sovereignty, asking for a resolution that preserves Lebanon’s territorial integrity amid Israel's expanding offensive. Addressing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan, Guterres highlighted that these wars not only harm biodiversity but exacerbate climate and pollution crises.

Two-year-old Ivana Skayki lies in a Beirut hospital, severely burned from Israeli strikes on her southern Lebanon hometown. The attack on September 23, which killed over 550 people, left her with burns on 40% of her body. Lebanon’s only burn-specialized facility, Geitaoui Hospital, is overwhelmed as families seek critical care. Ivana's father recalls the traumatic blast that shook their home, forcing them to flee. Geitaoui's medical director, Naji Abi Rached, says the hospital has expanded its capacity from nine to 25 beds, though the severity of many cases challenges recovery efforts.

The Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah announced conducting attacks on Wednesday targeting three Israeli military installations in the northern region, with strikes reaching areas near Haifa and Acre. The group claimed their offensive successfully penetrated Israeli defense systems.

The organisation, supported by Iran, released a statement describing their operation as a "combined attack using advanced rockets and a swarm of drones." They additionally asserted that their weapons "hit their targets accurately".

Israel said on Wednesday that it will make sure aid gets into Gaza despite a new law it passed this week banning authorities from having any contact with the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA or the agency operating in the country.

"Israel remains committed to international law and to ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, through international organizations that are free of terrorist activity, such as @WFP @UNICEF @WHO and many others," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

Hezbollah's new secretary-general, Naim Qassem, said that he intended to follow in the footsteps of the terror organization's previous leader, Hassan Nasrallah, during his first televised speech as leader of the terror organization on Wednesday.

During his speech, he referred to the drone attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Caesarea home, and was quoted by the Jerusalem Post saying, "Netanyahu survived this time, perhaps his time hasn't yet come."

US State Department officials have identified around 500 potential civilian harm incidents in Gaza linked to US-furnished weapons used by Israel since the Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023. While some incidents may contravene international humanitarian law, no action has yet been taken on them. The State Department’s Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance, which tracks reported misuse of US-origin arms, is handling these reports but has yet to advance any cases to the stage of policy action. Although officials gather information from multiple sources and may recommend various interventions, the Biden administration has not formally determined any violations by Israel, according to Reuters report.

American diplomatic officials are developing a plan for a 60-day cessation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to information from two Reuters sources . However, Israel continued its military operations, targeting Lebanon's ancient city of Baalbek following a widespread evacuation directive.

According to a diplomatic official involved with Lebanese affairs and another individual familiar with the negotiations, this two-month window would facilitate the complete implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution, established in 2006, aims to ensure that southern Lebanon remains free from unauthorised weapons and armed groups outside government authority.

The Security Council of the United Nations issued a firm warning stating "strongly warned against any attempts to dismantle or diminish" UNRWA's operations and mandate following Israel's legislative action to prohibit the agency's activities.

The 15 members of the council unanimously adopted a statement expressing serious concerns regarding the new law passed by Israeli lawmakers on Monday.
The Security Council's statement "urged the Israeli Government to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and live up to its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip."

In his first public address since taking leadership, Naim Kassem of Hezbollah declared that the organisation will continue its military engagement with Israel until satisfactory cease-fire conditions are presented.

"If the Israelis decide to stop the aggression, we say that we accept, but according to the conditions that we see as suitable," Kassem stated during a televised broadcast from an undisclosed site. "We will not beg for a cease fire as we will continue (fighting)... no matter how long it takes."

Kassem indicated that Hezbollah maintains communication with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who serves as the main Lebanese contact for discussions with the United States regarding various peace initiatives. "So far no project has been put forward that Israel agrees on and is acceptable for us to negotiate it," he added.

Israeli officials are engaged in security cabinet deliberations regarding a potential ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are currently engaged in ground operations, as confirmed by Energy Minister Eli Cohen.

"There are discussions, I think it will still take time," Cohen stated during an interview with Israeli public radio. A report from Israel's Channel 12 television indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted ministerial meetings on Tuesday evening to discuss Israel's conditions for a proposed 60-day cessation of hostilities.