اردو 
What happened in Syria?
Opposition forces have taken control of the capital after a significant offensive. Here is how it unravelled.
Hezbollah's deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, emphasized to us on Tuesday that the only way to halt the escalation on the Israeli-Lebanese border is for Israel to cease its operations in Gaza.
The Israeli military's campaign in Gaza, in response to a surprise attack by Hamas last October that killed over 1,100 people and led to hundreds being taken hostage, has resulted in bombardments and a ground operation. The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 37,000 Palestinians since it began.
Hezbollah, a potent Iranian-backed political and paramilitary force, has engaged in a limited series of retaliatory drone and missile strikes on northern Israel since the conflict's inception.
Kassem stated, "If there is a ceasefire in Gaza, we will stop our actions immediately." He characterized Hezbollah's role as a "support front" for Hamas and affirmed that their military support would cease if the Gaza conflict were resolved.
However, Kassem cautioned that Hezbollah's response would be uncertain if a formal ceasefire is not achieved. "If Gaza experiences intermittent periods of ceasefire and conflict, we cannot predict our response," he noted.
He also expressed doubt about Israel's capacity to wage a full-scale war against Hezbollah and warned that such a conflict could escalate into a larger regional war. "If Israel initiates a war, it suggests a loss of control over its scope and involvement," Kassem added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced the redeployment of some Israel Defense Force units from Gaza to the Lebanese border. The situation has drawn international concern, with reports of Washington cautioning against any form of conflict in Lebanon and Iran pledging support to Hezbollah in the event of a confrontation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the precariousness of the situation, warning last month that a single misstep could trigger a catastrophic escalation extending beyond borders and imagination.
