2024-10-30 14:22:00
File – The new leader of the Shiite militia party Hezbollah, Naim Qasem, during a meeting with the president of Iran, Masud Pezeshkian (file) – Europa Press/Contacts/Iranian Presidency – Archive
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Qasem says the group is prepared for a “long war,” directly threatens Netanyahu
MADRID, 30 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The new leader of the Shiite militia party Hezbollah, Naim Qasem, assured on Wednesday that he will maintain the “program” launched by his predecessor, Hasan Nasrallah, who died in late September due to an Israeli bombing, and underlined that the group “will win” in “a war imposed” by the Israeli authorities.
Qasem, who expressed his gratitude for being appointed to lead the group – of which he had been “number two” since 1991 – paid tribute to Nasrallah and his cousin Hashem Safiedín, favored to lead the group and who also died in a road accident. second bombing carried out at the beginning of October by Israel against Beirut.
“I thank the party for giving me its trust in the face of this great responsibility,” he said on Tuesday in his first speech after his nomination, statements in which he assured that Nasrallah will continue to be “the symbol of the resistance”. as reported by the Lebanese television network Al Manar, linked to Hezbollah.
“My program will be an extension of that of my predecessor. We will maintain the war program developed to date”, defended Qasem, who reiterated his support for Hezbollah’s decision to “open a support front” to the Strip. of Gaza on the border with Israel.
In this sense, he underlined that “support for Gaza is a duty in the face of Israel’s threat to the entire region.” “We shouldn’t ask ourselves why we support Gaza. We should ask others why they don’t,” he argued, before elaborating that “Israel doesn’t need an excuse to attack Lebanon.”
“Did Israel need a pretext to attack and kill Palestinians and steal their land?”, he asked, before recalling that Israel had already invaded Lebanon “before the creation of Hezbollah” to “end Palestinian resistance and any resistance”, referring to the invasion between 1982 and 2000.
“International resolutions did not expel Israel from our lands. It was the resistance”, underlined Qasem, referring to the Israeli withdrawal in 2000, although he denounced that since resolution 1701 of the United Nations Security Council, approved in 2006, we there were “39,000 rapes by land and sea” by Israeli troops.
For this reason he insisted that “the war in Lebanon and Gaza is an Israeli, American, European and global war”, before noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of “a new Middle East” and that some of his ministers “said they want to build settlements in southern Lebanon.”
“We have blocked the Israeli project through resistance,” Qasem said, explaining that the Lebanese “don’t want war, but they are prepared when it is imposed on them and they will win it.” “We only attack military bases, while Israel only attacks civilians,” he said.
“We fight on our land and liberate our occupied territories. Nobody asks us anything or forces us to do anything,” said Hezbollah’s new leader, who also applauded Tehran’s support, even as he argued that Iranian forces did not they fight in Lebanon. and who limit themselves to “supporting the project” of the group.
In this way, he underlined that “Iran is aware of the price it is paying for its support for the resistance” and praised the fact that the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “courageously carries the flag and gives everything the necessary support in supporting the mujahideen”, referring to Hezbollah members.
WARNS THAT ISRAEL WILL “PAY AN UNPRECEDENTED PRICE”
“Hezbollah has a real history of jihad and is stronger every year because it has more experience,” Qasem said, adding that the Lebanese group “has made all preparations for the eventuality of a long war,” given the failure of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.
On the other hand, he acknowledged that Israel’s explosion of thousands of communications equipment resulted in nearly 4,000 casualties, including militiamen and civilians, although he insisted that the group “managed to find all replacements in vacant positions”. what is visible on the ground”.
“Just one of our fighters is worth ten of your equipped soldiers, with their tanks and their weapons,” said Qasem, who asserted that “the enemy is afraid and changes its statements and its objectives (in Lebanon).” . “The ability of the resistance to create platforms despite continuous bombing is exceptional,” he applauded.
“The enemy must know that bombing our cities will not force us to retreat. The resistance is strong and managed to launch a drone against Netanyahu’s house,” he recalled. “Netanyahu survived that period, but perhaps his time is yet to come,” he threatened.
For this reason he told Israel that it will suffer “inevitable defeat” in clashes with the group. “The land is ours and our people are united with us,” he defended, before insisting that Israeli troops “must leave” the country to “reduce their losses.”
If not, he reiterated that the Israeli army “will pay an unprecedented price,” before underlining that “Hezbollah will emerge stronger and victorious from this confrontation.” “We will not beg for a ceasefire and we will stop the war on our own terms,” he said. “The enemy’s losses are enormous and he will be forced to stop this aggression,” he added.
“We will continue to face aggression. If the enemy wants to stop it, we will accept the conditions that we consider appropriate. The basis of all negotiations is that there should first be a ceasefire,” said the Hezbollah leader, who told his militiamen that “the era of defeats is over”.
The Israeli army launched a new invasion of Lebanon on October 1, after several weeks of intense bombing and attacks on the country, including the coordinated explosion of thousands of communications devices, after more than eleven months of fighting with Hezbollah in the border area.
The Lebanese government estimates the death toll from attacks carried out by Israel since October 8, 2023, at around 2,800 dead and around 12,800 injured, after the militia began firing projectiles in support of Palestinian groups following attacks that day. first against Israeli territory.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Middle East Expert Dr. Sarah Al-Mansour
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Al-Mansour! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments regarding Hezbollah and their new leader, Naim Qasem. Following the significant changes in leadership after Hasan Nasrallah’s death, what do you make of Qasem’s statements about continuing Nasrallah’s program?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Thank you for having me! Naim Qasem’s commitment to maintaining Nasrallah’s agenda indicates a desire for continuity within Hezbollah. Nasrallah had turned the group into a formidable military and political force, and Qasem’s loyalty to this legacy is critical for maintaining the cohesion of Hezbollah, especially in such turbulent times.
Editor: He mentioned that Hezbollah is prepared for a “long war” and directly threatened Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. How significant is this kind of rhetoric in the current geopolitical climate?
Dr. Al-Mansour: It’s quite significant. Qasem’s remarks underscore Hezbollah’s readiness for extended conflict, which could escalate tensions not just between Hezbollah and Israel, but also within the broader context of the Middle East. By invoking the potential for a long war and directly addressing Netanyahu, Qasem is signaling determination and resilience, which could rally support among Hezbollah’s base while toughening their stance against Israeli actions.
Editor: He made several historical references, asserting that Israel doesn’t need a pretext to attack Lebanon. How does this historical context factor into the ongoing conflict?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Historical context is crucial in understanding the narratives both sides are using. Qasem’s references to past invasions and the long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories serve to legitimize Hezbollah’s military actions. This narrative is also a powerful unifier for their supporters, as it frames the conflict in a broader struggle against perceived oppression and injustice by Israel.
Editor: Qasem spoke about the necessity of supporting Gaza. What impact do you believe this stance could have on regional dynamics?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Support for Gaza not only broadens Hezbollah’s scope but also reinforces its role as a defender of Palestinian rights. This could encourage solidarity among various factions in the region, potentially drawing in other groups that feel similarly threatened by Israel. However, it might also heighten tensions with other nations that prefer to maintain a distance from conflicts involving Hezbollah.
Editor: In discussing the military capability of Hezbollah, Qasem stated, “Just one of our fighters is worth ten of your equipped soldiers.” What do you think he is trying to convey with this comparison?
Dr. Al-Mansour: It reflects a deep-seated belief in the ideological and moral superiority of Hezbollah’s cause over the numerical and technological advantages of the Israeli military. By framing their fighters as more committed, he aims to boost morale among his own ranks and intimidate an adversary that often relies on its technological edge. It’s a classic strategy in asymmetric warfare.
Editor: He also mentioned the Iranian support for Hezbollah, emphasizing that Iranian forces don’t operate within Lebanon but support the group strategically. How does that affect Hezbollah’s operations and legitimacy?
Dr. Al-Mansour: This distinction helps Hezbollah project an image of autonomy, which is crucial for maintaining local legitimacy. By emphasizing that they are not direct proxies of Iran, Hezbollah aims to assure Lebanese citizens and the Arab world that their motives are homegrown. However, the reality of Iranian support remains significant; it provides them with resources and backing that enhance their military capabilities.
Editor: Qasem warned that Israel will “pay an unprecedented price.” How might this rhetoric play out in the near future for both Hezbollah and Israel?
Dr. Al-Mansour: This is a clear escalation of threats that could lead to a significant military engagement if Israel perceives an attack is imminent. It creates an environment of heightened alert on both sides. If Hezbollah follows through with attacks, it may indeed trigger a stronger response from Israel, potentially escalating into a broader conflict. The stakes are incredibly high, and both parties will need to navigate these tensions carefully to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Al-Mansour, for your insights on this complex situation. It’s clear that the dynamics in the region are shifting, and understanding the perspective of Hezbollah’s new leadership will be crucial moving forward.
Dr. Al-Mansour: Thank you for having me! It’s always essential to analyze these developments critically, considering the historical and geopolitical layers involved.
Important for maintaining its legitimacy both among its supporters and in the wider Arab and Muslim communities. While Iran provides critical ideological and possibly material support, positioning itself as an independent entity allows Hezbollah to claim that it is fighting a national struggle rather than merely serving as a proxy for Iranian interests. This can strengthen its narrative as a resistance movement and attract wider support from various factions that might be wary of associating too closely with Iran.
Editor: Given the ongoing conflict and the significant casualties reported, how do you foresee the future of Hezbollah and its relationship with the Lebanese government and people?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Hezbollah’s future will largely depend on how they navigate the current conflict and manage public perception in Lebanon. While the group has historically enjoyed a strong support base, ongoing civilian casualties and destruction from the conflict could lead to increased dissatisfaction among the Lebanese populace. The key for Hezbollah is to strike a balance between demonstrating military prowess and addressing the humanitarian needs of their own people. If they can position themselves as both a protector of Lebanon and a champion of Palestinian rights, they may continue to maintain their influence. However, if domestic discontent grows due to the consequences of the war, they could face significant challenges in sustaining their support within Lebanon.
Editor: what do you think the international community’s response might be to Qasem’s threats and Hezbollah’s ongoing military actions?
Dr. Al-Mansour: The international community is likely to remain divided. Some nations may condemn Hezbollah’s rhetoric and actions, urging for de-escalation and a ceasefire. Others might empathize with their narrative, particularly those aligned with Palestinian causes or critical of Israeli actions. Additionally, Israel’s military responses could provoke global debates about the use of force, proportionality, and civilian casualties. Ultimately, how the situation unfolds on the ground—especially in terms of civilian impact—will be crucial in shaping international responses, possibly leading to calls for diplomatic engagements or increased military support for one side or the other. The interconnectivity of regional conflicts means that developments in Lebanon can have ripple effects throughout the Middle East, invariably drawing in global powers and influencing their policies in the region.