In a major shift within Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, known for his fiery rhetoric against Israel, has been appointed as the new secretary-general after longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike. Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy leader for over 30 years, warned of a “long battle” ahead in a recent televised speech. Following Nasrallah’s death in a devastating airstrike dubbed “Operation New Order,” Qassem faces leading a war-battered Hezbollah, as Israeli forces press their campaign across southern Lebanon.
Qassem’s appointment marks the first leadership change since 1992, symbolizing a pivotal moment for Hezbollah amid escalating violence with Israel. A longtime figure within Hezbollah, Qassem co-founded the group in 1982 and has been a prominent voice, serving under both Nasrallah and Abbas al-Musawi before him. Analysts suggest that his fiery anti-Israel stance and close ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard could heighten tensions even further, as Israel continues its aggressive operations targeting Hezbollah strongholds.
Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah transformed from a militant faction into a formidable political and military power in Lebanon, heavily backed by Iran. Since the late September strikes that killed Nasrallah and other top Hezbollah figures, Qassem has been vocal about his commitment to the “resistance.” In his first speech as leader, he vowed to keep Hezbollah’s mission alive, citing “no compromise until victory.”
Qassem’s ascension comes as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ramp up their offensive, striking key Hezbollah positions in Beirut and southern Lebanon. Following Hamas’s recent attacks on Israel, Hezbollah escalated cross-border confrontations, bringing an already volatile Israel-Lebanon border to the brink. Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah’s infrastructure, displacing thousands and leaving significant destruction in Hezbollah-dominated areas.
Observers believe Qassem’s leadership could deepen Hezbollah’s alignment with Iran’s broader strategy against Israel and its allies, a dynamic often called the “Axis of Resistance.” With growing challenges, Qassem must navigate Hezbollah’s role amid Lebanon’s political instability and a devastated economy, while sustaining support from Iran and handling pressure from internal factions and international opposition.
Qassem’s fiery rhetoric and hardened stance against Israel foreshadow more intense confrontations, as both Hezbollah and the IDF appear set on maintaining an escalated and deeply entrenched conflict.
Source: Daily Mail
