Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut

Beirut, Nov 29: The deputy chief of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, on Friday declared that the group retains the right to retaliate for Israel’s recent killing of its top military commander, and did not rule out the possibility of a new war. His televised remarks came amid rising anxiety in Lebanon that Israel could widen its bombardment to force Hezbollah to abandon its arsenal, a demand the group has repeatedly rejected.

The fears intensified after Israel’s strike on November 23 that killed Haytham Ali Tabtabai, one of Hezbollah’s most senior military figures, in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Qassem said the organisation would decide the timing and nature of its response and insisted that Israeli threats of a broader air campaign would not shake the group’s resolve.

“Do you expect a war later? It’s possible sometime. Yes, this possibility is there, and the possibility of no war is also there,” Qassem said, adding that Lebanon should prepare a national plan that depends on its army and its people to confront Israel.

Qassem also expressed hope that Pope Leo’s upcoming visit to Lebanon would contribute to peace efforts and help end what he described as Israeli aggression.

Lebanon continues to face mounting pressure from Israel and the United States to accelerate the disarmament of Hezbollah and other armed groups across its territory. Minutes after Qassem’s address ended, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee criticised the Lebanese army’s actions in the south, calling their efforts to confiscate Hezbollah’s weapons “inadequate” and claiming that the group was still covertly working to preserve its arsenal.

Hezbollah has maintained that it will not surrender its arms while Israeli strikes continue and while Israel maintains control over five disputed border points in southern Lebanon.