Lebanese circles are anticipating a calm along the southern border starting from dawn today, coinciding with the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This comes amid the backdrop of discussions between "Hezbollah" and Hamas regarding the agreement, which was the focus of a meeting between Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas Deputy Head in Gaza Khalil Hayya in Beirut on Wednesday. This meeting occurred simultaneously with calls from Lebanese political forces opposing Hezbollah for the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the prevention of armed groups in border areas.
Sources familiar with Hezbollah's stance told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ceasefire in Gaza will influence the situation on the ground in southern Lebanon, given that the party has repeatedly stated its engagement in the conflict is connected to the battle in Gaza. The south has served as a supportive front and source of pressure, therefore "it is logical that the calm in Gaza will be matched by a calm in Lebanon." However, they also pointed out that the party "will certainly respond in the event of any Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon or Gaza."
The ceasefire in Gaza was part of the discussions between the leadership of Hezbollah and Hamas in Beirut. Although the official statement from the meeting between Nasrallah and Hayya did not address this detail, it merely indicated that "the latest developments since October 7 were reviewed, and the stances, advancements, and existing possibilities on all fronts of resistance, especially in Gaza, were evaluated. The importance of continuous work and coordination with steadfastness to achieve the promised victory was also emphasized," according to Hezbollah's statement.
However, Hamas leader Osama Hamdan, who attended the meeting, stated to the electronic website "Al-Ahd," which is affiliated with Hezbollah, that the anticipated humanitarian ceasefire was indeed a topic of discussion. He elaborated: "Both sides emphasized that the enemy would not have accepted this temporary ceasefire were it not for the painful blows it endured throughout the war from the resistance. Consequently, this ceasefire is an opportunity to end the suffering of the prisoners and to restructure the components of the Palestinian people’s steadfastness on various levels; it is the first seed of victory in this battle."
