Hezbollah ready for long confrontation with ‘Israel’, leader says

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MENA

Naim Qassem calls current war “existential” and vows resistance against ‘Israel’.
Hezbollah urges Lebanese government to reverse concessions to avoid prolonging the war.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday that his group is prepared for a prolonged confrontation with ‘Israel’, describing the ongoing war in Lebanon as “existential”.

“We have prepared ourselves for a long confrontation, and God willing, they (Israelis) will be surprised on the battlefield,” Qassem said in his second televised address since hostilities began, adding that “the enemy's threats do not frighten us.” He emphasized, “This is an existential battle, not a limited or simple battle.”

The war escalated after Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, attacked ‘Israel’ in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-‘Israeli’ strikes. ‘Israel’ has conducted air raids and deployed ground troops in border areas, warning Lebanon it will pay an “increasing price” if Hezbollah is not disarmed.

Qassem reaffirmed Hezbollah’s determination to resist, saying the group “will not allow the enemy to achieve its goal of eliminating our existence and controlling Lebanon” and asserting confidence in victory.

He also criticized the Lebanese government for making concessions to ‘Israel’, urging it to reverse recent decisions that he said prolong the war. Last week, Beirut banned Hezbollah’s military and security activities, following a 2025 decree to disarm the group.