Hezbollah has yet to respond to President Joseph Aoun’s new diplomatic initiative aimed at ending Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
The proposal, unveiled during an address from the southern city of Tyre on the 82nd anniversary of Lebanon’s independence, carried strong national symbolism and a call for unified state authority.
The first major endorsement came swiftly from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who described the address to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper as “an independence speech on the day of independence, in form, place, subject, and substance.”
Berri confirmed that the visit of his political aide, MP Ali Hassan Khalil, to Tehran was “positive,” saying Lebanon’s parliamentary elections will be held on schedule in May, “without justification for delay” and under the current electoral law.
Berri’s stance raises questions about the position of his ally, Hezbollah. Political sources close to the Shiite alliance (Hezbollah and the Amal Movement) are characterizing Aoun’s proposal as a “complete initiative” in the political sense, one that offers no concessions yet leaves little room for objection.
According to the sources, Hezbollah may request clarifications but is unlikely to oppose the plan outright, particularly after Berri’s endorsement.
The sources noted that Hezbollah is still holding internal consultations and coordinating with Berri. The party’s official position is expected to be delivered by its Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, during a speech marking one year since the US and French-brokered ceasefire with Israel on Nov. 27, 2024.
Sources from within the Shiite bloc explained that Aoun’s insistence on internationally mediated negotiations was not merely a rejection of direct talks with Israel.
Rather, it reaffirmed that any settlement must remain under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates full Israeli withdrawal to the internationally recognized borders.
They described the initiative as a roadmap for the liberation and reconstruction of the south, reflecting a widespread sentiment among southern communities eager to rebuild and return to their homes. This makes it difficult for Hezbollah to find grounds to object without losing popular support.
The party is also reportedly sounding out Iran’s leadership on two key matters: Aoun’s call for internationally mediated negotiations, and reports of renewed US-Iran talks. These issues featured prominently during Khalil’s Tehran meetings with National Security Council Secretary-General Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to political sources.
These sources added that Tehran appears unconcerned about the prospects of a new confrontation with Israel and the United States, despite repeated threats by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that diplomacy is quietly returning.
Analysts argue that Hezbollah must be cautious before rejecting the president’s initiative. A negative stance could repeat the miscalculations of its support for Gaza, an intervention that led to domestic isolation, leaving Amal as its sole political shield.
Critics ask why some factions, notably the Lebanese Forces, continue to attack Aoun over the monopoly of weapons while ignoring his attempt to restore state authority through negotiation.
The central question remains: Is Hezbollah ready to transition from armed resistance to full partnership in the Lebanese state? As the country faces a decisive phase, many believe that unified support for Aoun’s proposal could draw international pressure on Israel to commit to negotiations, safeguard southern stability, and end a conflict no longer tolerable for Lebanon.
