Beirut: Hezbollah’s Deputy Chief Naim Qassem on Monday pledged to continue the fight against Israel, stating that the militant group is prepared for a prolonged conflict following the loss of much of its senior leadership, including its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
In his first address since Nasrallah’s death, Kassem declared in a televised statement stated that if Israel opts for a ground offensive, Hezbollah fighters are ready to defend Lebanon, their base of operations.
“Our Fighters Ready To Defend Lebanon If Israel Goes For Ground Offensive”
As deputy secretary-general, Kassem will be the acting leader of Hezbollah until a new leader is elected to replace Nasrallah.
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of Nasrallah and six of his top commanders over the past ten days, targeting what the military claims are thousands of militant sites throughout Lebanon. According to the Health Ministry, more than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, nearly a quarter of whom are women and children, while the government estimates that up to a million people may have been displaced due to the fighting.
In the past week, Hezbollah has significantly ramped up its rocket attacks, launching several hundred dailies, although most have been intercepted or landed in unpopulated areas. Several individuals have been injured in Israel, but there have been no fatalities since two soldiers were killed near the border on September 19.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Health Ministry said at least 105 people were killed around the country in airstrikes on Sunday. Two strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 45 kilometres south of Beirut, killed at least 32 people, the ministry said. Separately, Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel killed 21 people and wounded at least 47.
Hassan Nasrallah Killed In Israeli Airstrike
The Israeli Defense Forces conducted precision strikes on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on Friday, resulting in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran’s Ayatollah regime, stating that those who attack Israel will face “consequences” and emphasized that “no location” in Iran or the broader Middle East is “beyond Israel’s reach.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls Upon Muslims Worldwide To Stand With Hezbollah
As Israel continues to bombard Lebanon in its war against the Hezbollah militant group, Iran’s supreme leader Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei said that Israel is attempting to pursue the same “foolish” strategy it implemented in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza a year ago.
In a post on X, Khamenei said, “On the one hand, the killing of defenseless civilians in Lebanon, has once again revealed the savage nature of the rabid Zionists to everyone. On the other hand, it has proven how shortsighted and insane the policies of the leaders of the occupying regime are.”
“The Zionist criminals need to know that they are far too weak to be able to inflict any significant damage on the solid structure of Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Now they are trying the same foolish policy in Lebanon. The zionist criminals should know that they are far too small to inflict significant harm on Hezbollah’s solid structure. All the resistance forces of the region stand by Hezbollah and support it and the destiny of this region,” he said.
The escalation of the conflict has also prompted Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to move to a safer place amid heightened security. Meanwhile, several nations have advised its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country as early as possible, as they anticipate a wider war in the region.
Reacting to Nasrallah’s killing, US President Joe Biden called Hezbollah chief’s elimination by Israel a “measure of justice” for victims of terror across the world.
(With inputs from AP)
Hezbollah’s Deputy Chief Naim Qassem Vows To Continue Fight In A Defiant Public Address world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World News Today
