War plan against Israel to go on: Naim Qassem in 1st speech as Hezbollah chief

Qassem said that those claiming Israel was provoked into war due to the October 7 (2023) attacks by Hamas, are forgetting 75 years of killing of Palestinians, stealing of their land, holy sites, and other properties. 

In Short

• Qassem criticises Israel, citing 75 years of conflict with Palestinians
• Says nobody fighting on Hezbollah's behalf
• Qassem appointed chief after Nasrallah's kiling in September

In his first message after becoming the new Hezbollah chief, Naim Qassem asserted that the Iran-backed militant group's war with Israel would continue amid increasing tensions between the two blocs.

Both Israel and Hezbollah have been bombarding each other with airstrikes. However, the latter suffered a major jolt after its chief, Hassan Nasrallah was eliminated by the Jewish nation in September.

Since then, Israel has claimed to have eliminated several top Hezbollah leaders, including Nasrallah's cousin and his potential successor Hasehm Safieddine.

After much tittle-tattle around the matter, the Iran-backed group named Qassem as its chief on October 29, who has now asserted that the aggressive on Israel would continue.

"We will continue our war plan within the outlined political frameworks, we will remain on the path of war," he said, adding that he planned to follow the agenda set by his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah.

He said that those claiming Israel was provoked into war due to the October 7 (2023) attacks by Hamas, are forgetting 75 years of killing of Palestinians, stealing of their land, holy sites, and other properties.

"It's better for us to have a resistance with a defensive attack than to be waiting and doing nothing, waiting for Israel to attack us and surprise us in one way or another. We are ready. If it is imposed on us, we will face it with all strength, determination, steadfastness and pride. No one is fighting on our behalf. Let everyone know. We are not fighting on behalf of anyone. Nor for anyone's personal project (plan). We are fighting for our project," he said.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant responded to Qassem's appointment with scepticism, posting on X, "Temporary appointment. Not for long," alongside a photo of the new leader.

The Jewish nation projected a similar sentiment, saying that Qassem's reign at Hezbollah's helm would be "temporary".

"His tenure in this position may be the shortest in the history of this terrorist organisation if he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors."

The Israeli government emphasised its stance that the only solution for Lebanon is the dismantling of Hezbollah as a military force. "There is no solution in Lebanon except to dismantle this organisation," it declared.

Qassem has made several televised addresses, including one on October 8, where he expressed support for efforts to establish a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Qassem was appointed as Hezbollah's deputy chief in 1991 by the armed group's then-secretary general, Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack the following year.