Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Friday that the group retains the right to respond to Israel’s killing of its top military commander, leaving open the possibility of a new conflict with the country.

Qassem spoke in a televised address as concerns grew in Lebanon that Israel could escalate its bombardment to compel Hezbollah to relinquish its arsenal, which the group has repeatedly rejected.

The statement follows Israel’s killing of Hezbollah’s top military commander Haytham Ali Tabtabai in a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on 23 November, which heightened fears of renewed hostilities. 

Retaliation and Timing

Qassem said Hezbollah would “set the timing” for any retaliation. He added that threats of a broader Israeli air campaign had no impact on the group but cautioned that renewed war was possible.

“Do you expect a war later? It’s possible sometime. Yes, this possibility is there, and the possibility of no war is also there,” he said.

While he did not explicitly state Hezbollah’s position in a potential new war, Qassem emphasised that Lebanon should prepare a plan to confront Israel relying on “its army and its people.”

Call for Peace

Qassem also expressed hope that Pope Leo’s upcoming visit to Lebanon “will play a role in bringing about peace and ending the [Israeli] aggression.”

Pressure on Hezbollah

Lebanon remains under growing pressure from Israel and the United States to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups across the country.

Following Qassem’s speech, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee criticised the Lebanese army’s efforts to seize Hezbollah weapons in the south, saying they were “inadequate” and that Hezbollah continues to “manipulate them and work covertly to maintain its arsenal.”

Hezbollah has reiterated that it will not relinquish its arms as long as Israel continues strikes on Lebanese territory and maintains occupation of points in the country’s south.

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