Hezbollah Vows Retaliation for Israel's Killing of Top Commander in Beirut Strike, Warns of Potential War

Hezbollah Vows Retaliation for Israel's Killing of Top Commander in Beirut, Warns of Potential War

Hezbollah's second-in-command, Naim Qassem, has publicly affirmed the Lebanese group's unwavering right to respond to the recent Israeli strike that resulted in the assassination of its senior military chief in Beirut's southern suburbs. In a televised address delivered on Friday, Qassem vehemently condemned the killing of Haytham Ali Tabtabai as a "blatant aggression and a heinous crime." He emphasized that Hezbollah retains the prerogative to retaliate, adding, "we will determine the timing for that."

Shadow of War Looms

The dramatic escalation follows months of heightened tensions. Qassem acknowledged the palpable threat of further conflict, stating, "Do you expect a war later? It’s possible, sometime. Yes, this possibility is there, and the possibility of no war is also there." While refraining from detailing Hezbollah's exact role in any prospective war, the leader underscored the imperative for Lebanon to devise a comprehensive strategy to confront Israel, one that leverages the strength of "its army and its people."

Calls for Peace Amidst Aggression

Furthermore, Qassem expressed optimism regarding Pope Leo’s anticipated visit to Lebanon, hoping it would contribute significantly to "bringing about peace and ending the [Israeli] aggression." He maintained that Hezbollah has diligently upheld the November 2024 ceasefire, which aimed to conclude over a year of intense hostilities with Israel, and reiterated demands for an immediate cessation of ongoing Israeli incursions into Lebanese territory.

The slain commander, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, was reportedly engaged in a crucial meeting with four aides, "preparing for future actions," when the fatal strike occurred.

Israeli Response and Ongoing Tensions

In response to Qassem’s powerful speech, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee voiced concerns via a post on X, criticizing the Lebanese army's "inadequate" efforts to confiscate Hezbollah's weaponry in the country's south. Adraee asserted that "Hezbollah continues to manipulate them and work covertly to maintain its arsenal."

Hezbollah, however, has consistently articulated its reluctance to relinquish its arms as long as Israeli forces persist with attacks on Lebanese soil and maintain a presence at five distinct locations across southern Lebanon. Israel has indeed been conducting almost daily strikes in southern Lebanon, with Beirut itself experiencing multiple attacks, though the capital had seen a respite for several months prior to last week's assassination. Adding to the grim toll, a separate Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon last week reportedly killed at least 13 individuals at a Palestinian refugee camp, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.