This content was formerly published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and it is now being reprinted with permission.
Naim Qassem, the new head of the Iran-backed military class Lebanon, vowed on October 30 to continue to implement the battle strategy set by his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, amid reports that Israel was suddenly striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Hezbollah, which is designated as a criminal organization by the United States while the European Union blacklists its military aircraft but not its political party, “must never quit and watch… despite the pain,” Qassem said in his first speech since being named earlier this week to remove Nasrallah, who was killed in a massive Israeli air attack on September 27.
In response to various rocket and missile attacks by the party, Israel has recently been engaged in a campaign of air strikes and a ground invasion of southwestern Lebanon.
Since the Israeli Army invaded the Gaza Strip following the terrorist attack by Hamas-ruled Israel on October 7, 2023 that resulted in the deaths of more than 1, 200 Israelis and 250 victims, those problems have grown even more severe. The United States and the European Union have labeled Hamas as a terrorist business.
Qassem, who has close ties to Iran and was deemed a” specially designated global criminal” by Washington in 2018, gave no details on how he would remain fighting Israel and acknowledged that Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon have been a “big blow”
Qassem, who has been Hezbollah’s lieutenant secretary-general since 1991, is frequently credited with leading the group’s efforts to become a dominant political force in Lebanon. His writings are primarily focused on the group’s philosophical and spiritual foundations rather than its military strategy.
Experts have been monitoring to see if the visit of a well-known politician may indicate that Hezbollah is preparing to meet with Israel to end the conflict, despite Israel’s lack of interest in meeting.
Southern Lebanon is largely under the control of Hezbollah, and its political party has votes in the country’s congress.
