Hezbollah Ready for Israeli Ground Offensive, Says Deputy Leader
In a bold statement, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, declares his group’s readiness for an Israeli ground offensive amidst ongoing air strikes across Lebanon.
Following the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel, Qassem emphasizes that the battle ahead “may be long” but asserts that Hezbollah is prepared for any escalation.
Qassem reaffirms Hezbollah’s commitment to continue the fight against Israel, stating that the group considers its current attacks as only the “minimum” effort, hinting at a prolonged conflict, as reported by Reuters.
Meanwhile, Hamas confirms the death of its Lebanese group leader due to Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon, while the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine mourns the loss of three leaders in a strike on central Beirut.
With over 1,000 casualties reported in Lebanon over the past two weeks and an estimated one million people displaced, the region faces a dire humanitarian crisis.
Despite the loss of Nasrallah, Qassem asserts that Hezbollah will swiftly appoint a new leader and maintain its influential position within the Lebanese parliament and government, controlling the most potent armed force in the country.
Hezbollah’s origins trace back to the 1980s when it emerged as a staunch opponent to Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon during the nation’s civil war period from 1975 to 1990. — BBC
