Hezbollah chief says eliminating the group would devastate Lebanese society

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said in a speech shown at Hassan Nasrallah’s tomb site that attempts to topple the Iranian regime had failed and that “the direction has changed.” He argued that Iran’s power is evident and that its voice is being heard across the region and in the world.

Qassem said Israel has wanted Lebanon weak since 1948, and claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly declared he wants “Greater Israel,” with events on the ground showing Israeli expansion. He said Israel’s project is to eliminate Hezbollah.

According to Qassem, destroying Hezbollah would amount to “the destruction and execution of a large part of Lebanese society.” The remarks were presented as part of his broader argument that the regional balance has shifted in Iran’s favor.