Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem on Monday said that the group is well-prepared for any ground invasion by Israel. While vowing to continue the fight, Qassem said Hezbollah is only using a fraction of the group’s capabilities to attack Israel.
Qassem also said that the commanders killed will soon be replaced. "In our hierarchy, we have deputies for all commanders. We have other alternatives in case the leader was killed or got injured," said Qassem.
He also added that Hezbollah's secretary general will be appointed sooner. After Nasrallah died in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut, his cousin Hashem Safieddine is likely to be appointed as the Hezbollah chief. Until then, Qassem will continue to head the group.
Amid intensified strikes against the Hezbollah group, defence minister Yoav Gallant has hinted that Israel intends to mount a ground invasion of Lebanon. Gallant had said, “We will use all of our capabilities."
Gallant added the returning Israelis to their homes in the north was IDF’s prime mission.
"That is what we will do, and we will deploy whatever is needed- you, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and from the land," he said.
With Israel continuing its airstrikes on Lebanon, its assault on Gaza also continues. In Lebanon, 1,000 people were reportedly killed, with 6,000 more wounded, and one million people displaced from their homes.
Also, Qassem accused Israel of "committing massacres and crimes against the civilians." He also said that though there are pains, “everyone must know that we love martyrdom.”
Qassem also boasted Hezbollah's reach into Israel and ability to target places like Haifa.
“We are all there in the field, despite the loss of some leaders and Hassan Nasrallah the main target, and despite the aggressive attacks against all the civilians in Lebanon, despite the sacrifices and the actions...We will stay there. We will continue facing the Israeli enemy in support of Palestine and Gaza and in defence of our Lebanese people," said Qassem.
Qassem also said, “We are strong enough, and we will turn the Israelis mad because they will never, ever be able to reach and hit and hurt our military capabilities.”
