The new leader of Hezbollah has stated that the group is willing to consider a truce with Israel if a proposal is presented

Hezbollah's new leader stated on Wednesday that the embattled Lebanese group could agree to a ceasefire under specific conditions, as Israeli forces intensified their bombardment of its strongholds.

Naim Qassem's remarks came during a meeting of Israel's security cabinet to discuss a potential truce, coinciding with attacks on the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, where Israel claimed to have killed another senior Hezbollah commander.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed "cautious optimism" regarding a ceasefire in "the coming hours or days." He mentioned that U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein suggested a ceasefire might be possible before November 5, coinciding with the U.S. elections.

Qassem, who assumed leadership of the Iran-backed group on Tuesday following the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, indicated that Hezbollah could resist Israeli assaults for months but remained open to negotiations for a truce if an offer was made.

"If the Israelis decide to halt their aggression, we would accept, but only under conditions we find suitable," he stated, noting that Hezbollah had yet to receive a credible proposal.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen mentioned that discussions were ongoing regarding what terms could be proposed to secure a ceasefire. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with ministers to outline Israel's demands for a potential 60-day truce, including a withdrawal of Hezbollah north of the Litani River and the deployment of the Lebanese army along the border.

An international mechanism would be established to enforce the truce, while Israel seeks assurances to maintain operational freedom against threats.

The U.S. State Department announced that President Biden's Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and Hochstein would travel to Israel to engage in talks about a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and how to end the conflict in Gaza.

On the ground, explosions rocked Baalbek after Israel's military warned residents of impending strikes against Hezbollah targets in their cities. Lebanon's health ministry reported at least 19 fatalities from Israeli attacks in the Baalbek area, with additional casualties reported in the Bekaa Valley.

Hezbollah responded by launching rockets and drones at Israeli military positions, including sites near Haifa and Acre.

The conflict in Lebanon erupted late last month, nearly a year after Hezbollah initiated cross-border fire in support of Hamas following the latter's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in at least 1,754 fatalities in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made in Gaza to propose a short-term truce to facilitate hostage exchanges and alleviate humanitarian crises. Following a devastating Israeli strike that killed nearly 100 people, including many children, discussions for a ceasefire are ongoing, with potential for a "less than a month" agreement that would include prisoner exchanges and increased aid to Gaza.