Hezbollah’s interim leader, Naim Kassem, vowed to continue fighting Israel and said the group was ready for a long battle, even after most of its top leaders were killed, including Hassan Nasrallah.
Israeli strikes have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as well as six of the group’s commanders and top officials in the past 10 days. Israeli strikes have also hit what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) calls thousands of militant targets across much of Lebanon.
Although the group has taken heavy blows in recent weeks, Hezbollah’s interim leader, Naim Kassem, said in a televised statement that if Israel decided to launch a ground offensive, his group was ready, adding that the slain commanders had been replaced.
Also read: Israel Launches Land Operations in South Lebanon
“We know this battle will probably last a long time and the options are open to us. We will face any possibility and be ready if Israel decides to enter by land. “The resistance troops are ready for ground combat,” said Kassem, reported by VoA, Tuesday (1/10).
A founding member of Hezbollah who has long served as Nasrallah’s deputy, Kassem will remain acting leader until the group’s top brass chooses a replacement.
The figure who is predicted by many parties to replace Nasrallah is Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin who oversees the group’s political affairs.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country was living through decisive days.
“We are fighting for our own existence. “We will unite, join hands, and defeat our enemies,” Netanyahu said. (I-2)
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