Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reacted to the appointment of Naim Qassem as the new Secretary General of Hezbollah, successor to cleric Hasan Nasrallah, who was killed in a surprise attack on September 27. Qassem, who held the number two position in the Lebanese organization, assumes leadership following the confirmation of the deaths of other senior Hezbollah leaders in Israeli attacks.
The new Shia leader, whose current location is unknown, has been a prominent figure within Hezbollah since his appointment as deputy head in 1991. Known for being one of the main spokespeople for the group, Qassem is recognized for granting interviews to foreign media, giving him an international profile within the organization.
Qassem's appointment comes amid escalating violence between Hezbollah and Israel, with exchanges of attacks causing civilian casualties on both sides. Israel has carried out an intense bombing campaign over Lebanese territory, affecting both southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as the southern suburbs of Beirut, areas crucial to Hezbollah. This situation has led to the flight of one million Lebanese and the destabilization of the Shiite group's leadership.
Amid this military escalation, the Israeli Army has also issued statements condemning Qassem's appointment, linking him to the deaths of Israeli civilians in the north of the country due to attacks coming from Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Minister described Qassem's appointment as "temporary," pointing out the existing tension between both parties and the responsibility the new Hezbollah leader assumes in this conflictual context.
