Iranian Supreme Leader: Hezbollah Develops Exceptionally Despite Israeli Strikes

Iranian Supreme Leader: Hezbollah Develops Exceptionally Despite Israeli Strikes
Iranian Supreme Leader's statements reflect Tehran's attempt to maintain Hezbollah's image as an effective military force, despite losing many of its strategic leaders
November 7, 2024, 6:53 pm

خامنئي

Coinciding with continued Israeli attacks on Lebanese regions and Beirut's southern suburbs, and despite heavy losses suffered by Hezbollah in recent months, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared that the organization cannot be broken.

During a meeting with Leadership Experts Council members Thursday, he added that Hezbollah "has achieved exceptional growth and development," according to his statement.

He emphasized: "It has transformed into an entity that the enemy, equipped with various advanced weapons and media and promotional tools, could not overcome," adding "and will not overcome."

Khamenei considered that former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in Israeli raids on Beirut's southern suburbs on September 27, "left an eternal legacy."

He explained that "some people in Lebanon and elsewhere thought Hezbollah had weakened and began criticizing it, but they are mistaken and living in an illusion; Hezbollah is strong and continues fighting."

These statements came following threats by Naim Qassem, the organization's new Secretary-General, claiming possession of tens of thousands of fighters, missiles, and drones ready to confront Israel.

Hezbollah has received painful blows since last September, with Israel carrying out a series of assassinations, most notably eliminating Nasrallah in Haret Hreik, along with Ali Karaki, the organization's Southern Front commander.

This was preceded by targeting Fouad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's founders and prominent military leaders, in a raid on the suburb on July 30.

Israel deliberately eliminated his successor Ibrahim Aqil, commander of the Radwan Unit, who was considered the second military official after Shukr, along with 16 other unit members.

Later, they targeted Ibrahim Qubaisi, the organization's missile unit commander (September 24), Muhammad Srour, air unit commander (September 26), and Nabil Qaouk, Central Council member and security official, on September 28.

They eliminated the party's Executive Council President, Hashim Safi al-Din, Nasrallah's potential successor, in suburb raids on October 3.

Mystery still surrounds the fate of Wafiq Safa, the organization's coordination and liaison official, after Israel claimed targeting him in raids on Beirut's Noueiri area on October 11.

Levant-Agencies

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