Hezbollah's deputy leader said in comments broadcast on Tuesday that the group backs efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon, and for the first time omitted any mention of a Gaza truce deal as a pre-condition to halting the group's attacks on Israel, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

Naim Qassem's remarks were shown on television after Israeli forces began ground operations in the southwest of Lebanon, expanding incursions into a new zone.

Qassem said Hezbollah supported attempts by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, to secure a halt to fighting, which has escalated in recent weeks with the Israeli ground incursions and the killing of top Hezbollah leaders.

"We support the political activity being led by Berri under the title of a ceasefire," Qassem said in a 30-minute televised address.

It was not clear whether this signalled any change in stance after a year in which it has said it is fighting in support of the Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Qassem said Hezbollah would not be the first to yield in the war and that its capabilities were still intact. Israel has yet to advance after the ground clashes that broke out in south Lebanon a week ago, he said.

"In any case, after the issue of a ceasefire takes shape, and once diplomacy can achieve it, all of the other details can be discussed and decisions can be taken," Qassem said.