Hezbollah's number 2, Naim Qassem, speaking on Oct. 15, 2024. (Credit: screenshot from Al Manar channel)
After sending out signs indicating that it was ready to untie the Lebanese front from Gaza, in a bid to have the Israeli war stop, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem put things into perspective. “Lebanon cannot be separated from Palestine,” he said, in his third speech since the start of the war. Espousing a warelike tone, his speech seemingly intended to underscore the renewed confidence within the ranks of the group that is probably preparing for a long war. All the more so as Qassem insisted that Hezbollah joined the war in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, not only to support Hamas, but also to “protect Lebanon from Israeli expansionism.” Read also War in Lebanon: Has Resolution 1701 become obsolete? At the same time, however, Qassem, who is serving as interim leader following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah on Sept 27,...
After sending out signs indicating that it was ready to untie the Lebanese front from Gaza, in a bid to have the Israeli war stop, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem put things into perspective. “Lebanon cannot be separated from Palestine,” he said, in his third speech since the start of the war. Espousing a warelike tone, his speech seemingly intended to underscore the renewed confidence within the ranks of the group that is probably preparing for a long war. All the more so as Qassem insisted that Hezbollah joined the war in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, not only to support Hamas, but also to “protect Lebanon from Israeli expansionism.” Read also War in Lebanon: Has Resolution 1701 become obsolete? At the same time, however, Qassem, who is serving as interim leader following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah on...
