Hezbollah's new leader vows to uphold Nasrallah's 'war plan', says will accept Israel ceasefire under 'conditions'

Hezbollah’s newly appointed leader Naim Qassem on Wednesday said that he will adhere to the war strategy established by his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israeli forces last month amid escalating conflict.

“My work programme is a continuation of the work programme of our leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah,” AFP quoted Qassem as saying in his first remarks as Hezbollah leader.

He pledged to press on with “the war plan that he (Nasrallah) developed with the leadership” of  the Iran-backed group.

Qassem said he would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms but said a viable deal has yet to be presented.

“If the Israelis decide that they want to stop the aggression, we say we accept, but on the conditions that we see as appropriate and suitable,” said Qassem, though he added a suitable agreement has not been offered.

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Qassem said that the Iran-backed group is fighting Israel to defend Lebanese territory, not as a result of foreign influence.

In a pre-recorded speech, Qassem said the movement was not “fighting on anyone’s behalf,” adding that Iran “supports us but doesn’t want anything” in return.

He said the group is recovering from a series of Israeli blows, including the killing of Nasrallah, with vacant positions filled and plans put in place.

After “painful” blows by Israel, Hezbollah “has started to recover by filling the gaps, appointing alternative leaders and commencing work to organise everything”, Qassem said.

Qassem’s appointment as the new Hezbollah leader was announced on Monday.

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Qassem is one of the few senior Hezbollah leaders who remains alive, after Israel killed most of the group’s leadership in a series of attacks.

His appointment on Monday came as the conflict in Lebanon intensified in recent weeks.

For over 30 years, Qassem served as Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general and became one of the group’s most prominent figures.

Hezbollah announced that he was elected by the Shura Council, following the group’s protocols. His current whereabouts are unclear, though some reports indicate he may have fled to Iran, Hezbollah’s main ally.

Born in Beirut in 1953 to a family from southern Lebanon, Qassem was a founding member of Hezbollah. Following the death of Nasrallah, he has delivered three televised addresses.

With inputs from agencies