Iraqi Militant Group Linked to Islamic Republic: We Adhere to Ceasefire Between Hamas and Israel

The group 'Kata'ib Hezbollah' (Hezbollah Brigades) in Iraq announced that it has joined the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and will stop attacks on Israel until the end of the ceasefire period. According to the Times of Israel, this Iraqi militia group, which is directly controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is one of several Iraqi Shia groups present in southwestern Syria and southern Lebanon. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian Foreign Minister, previously claimed that the Islamic Republic's proxy groups in the region operate 'independently' and that the Islamic Republic does not fundamentally possess such groups. The Times of Israel reports that following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, Kata'ib Hezbollah has conducted attacks against Israel in alignment with Hamas. Hezbollah in Lebanon had previously stated that it adheres to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. These two groups were not parties to the ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel. In its statement, Kata'ib Hezbollah also mentioned that it would 'reduce' the pace of attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria. Reports indicate that since Hamas's attack on Israel, American and coalition forces have been targeted at least 73 times in Iraq and Syria. In response to Hamas's attack, Israel launched a widespread assault on Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas. This assault has resulted in widespread casualties and destruction, leading to many protests against Israel. Israel claims that Hamas, a group supported by the Islamic Republic, hides behind civilians and civilian infrastructure. Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as well as to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hamas states that four of its commanders have been killed.