Hezbollah’s fresh leader, Naim Kassem, made his first public address on Wednesday. He stated that the group will persist in its conflict with Israel until it receives ceasefire terms it finds acceptable. Kassem conveyed, “If the Israelis decide to halt their aggression, we agree, but only under conditions we consider suitable.” He delivered this message from an undisclosed location in a pre-recorded broadcast. He emphasised that Hezbollah will not plead for a ceasefire and will continue the fight, regardless of the duration.
The address coincided with international mediators intensifying efforts to broker ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza. Since October 8, 2023, over 2,790 individuals have died, and 12,700 have been injured in Lebanon following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israel, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The conflict saw a dramatic escalation last month with Israeli ground troops entering southern Lebanon at the start of October. Government estimates indicate that the conflict has displaced approximately 1.2 million people in Lebanon.
In Israel, Hezbollah’s rockets, missiles, and drones have claimed the lives of at least 63 individuals, with around half being soldiers. Over 60,000 Israelis from border towns and cities have been evacuated for more than a year. Kassem, a cleric and founding figure of the Lebanese militant organisation, was appointed on Tuesday to succeed the former leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah lost his life in an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb in late September. Kassem had been Nasrallah’s deputy for over three decades.
⚠️BREAKING NEWS⚠️
Hezbollah says that it will continue war and remove Israel from the map of the world. Resistance will be victorious . pic.twitter.com/GHDiQBAG5p
— World Affairs (@naziakhan455) September 29, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is the new leader of Hezbollah?
Naim Kassem is the new leader of Hezbollah.
What did Naim Kassem say about a ceasefire with Israel?
He said Hezbollah will agree to a ceasefire only under acceptable conditions.
How many people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict?
Approximately 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon.
How many Israelis have been killed by Hezbollah’s attacks?
At least 63 Israelis have been killed, with about half being soldiers.
What happened to Hezbollah’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in late September.
