Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri told the Trump administration on Sunday that Hezbollah is ready for a full and immediate ceasefire with Israel, pledging to guarantee its implementation, according to Berri's top adviser Ali Hamdan. The overture comes as fighting in Lebanon escalates, threatening to derail a deal to end the war in Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently threatened to strike Beirut.
Berri, one of the most influential Shia politicians in Lebanon, maintains close ties to Hezbollah. However, U.S. and Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about whether he can truly ensure the group's compliance with any truce. The offer arrives amid rising regional tensions, with Iran's Tasnim news agency reporting that Tehran's negotiating team is suspending message exchanges with the U.S. through mediators.
If implemented, such a ceasefire would leave the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon in place for now. It would also potentially disconnect the Lebanese arena from the broader conflict with Iran. According to a source with knowledge of the talks, U.S. officials told Berri they do not believe Netanyahu will accept the terms.
The proposal presents a potential diplomatic off-ramp in a swiftly escalating conflict. Yet the U.S. skepticism about Berri's ability to deliver on Hezbollah's commitments underscores the fragility of any agreement. The coming days will test whether the group's political and military wings can align behind the ceasefire.
Critics argue that Hezbollah has previously used such diplomatic gestures to buy time for military repositioning. Without concrete verification mechanisms, the offer may be viewed as a tactical pause rather than a genuine path to de-escalation.