Hezbollah Deputy Warns Israel: Ready for Long War

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Kassem, issued a warning to Israel, stating that the militant group is ready for a long war following the elimination of its top commanders, including its chief, Hassan Nasrallah. In his first public address since Nasrallah’s death, Kassem emphasized that if Israel initiates a ground offensive, Hezbollah’s fighters are fully prepared to defend Lebanon, where the group is based.

Kassem, now acting as Hezbollah’s leader until a new chief is elected, reassured supporters that despite Israel’s airstrikes, Hezbollah’s military strength remains intact. Israeli strikes have killed Nasrallah and six top commanders over the past ten days, targeting thousands of militant positions across Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, over 1,000 people have died, including a quarter who were women and children, while up to a million have been displaced.

In the last week, Hezbollah has significantly increased its rocket fire into Israel, launching hundreds daily. However, most have either been intercepted or landed in open areas, with no reported Israeli fatalities since two soldiers were killed near the border on September 19.

Kassem further declared that Hezbollah has appointed new commanders to replace those lost in the recent strikes. “Israel has not weakened our military capabilities,” he said. “We have deputy commanders and replacements ready to take over if needed.”

Earlier on Monday, an Israeli airstrike destroyed an apartment building in central Beirut, killing three Palestinian militants. Although Israel has not claimed responsibility, it is widely believed to have conducted the strike, signaling that no area in Lebanon is safe from its attacks.

Since Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for Hamas’ October 7 attack, the situation has escalated. The group has vowed to continue supporting the Palestinians until a cease-fire is reached in Gaza. Israel, in response, has conducted a series of airstrikes, displacing thousands of civilians on both sides of the border.

Despite international calls for a cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown no sign of stopping the military operations, citing significant gains against Hezbollah. Celebrations broke out in Israel after Nasrallah’s death was announced, with videos showing citizens singing and dancing in joy.

Hezbollah, known for its battle-hardened fighters and long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Israel, remains a formidable force in the region. However, this recent onslaught, which began with a sophisticated attack on Hezbollah’s communication systems in mid-September, has severely weakened the group.

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby confirmed that Israel’s airstrikes had wiped out Hezbollah’s command structure but noted that the group would likely try to rebuild quickly.

“We’re monitoring how they attempt to fill this leadership void,” Kirby told CNN, adding that it would be a challenging task for Hezbollah to recover from this blow.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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