'Will accept truce with Israel under conditions,' Hezbollah's new chief Qassem delivers inaugural address

Hezbollah's new chief Naim Qassemdelivered his inaugural address on Wednesday (Oct 30), a day after he was appointed as the Lebanon-based group's secretary general.

In his first speech,Qassem said he would accept a ceasefire with Israel under 'conditions' but vowed to continue on the path of Sayyed Hassen Nasrallah, the former Hezbollah chief killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27.

"My work programme is a continuation of the work programme of our leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah," Qassem announced.

The leader said in his address that the "Zionist regime" had committed "39,000 violations" against Lebanon.

He also accused Israel of seeking to build settlements in southern Lebanon.

Qassem claimed that both the US and the EU were partner in 'genocidal' crimes committed by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon.

"Israel plans to occupy Lebanon and build settlements in the Arab country, but Hezbollah stands in the way of the Israeli regime,"Qassem said.

Qassem added that the group was recovering after sustaining "painful" blows over the last months.

The Hezbollah leader warned thatthe Jewish nation would face severe consequences if its forces didn't withdraw from Lebanese soil urgently.

"Get out of our land to reduce your losses. If you stay, you will pay more than you have ever paid in your life," Qassem said in a pre-recorded speech, asserting Hezbollah could sustain fighting "for days, weeks and months".

Israel issues warning toQassem

Meanwhile, in an explosive message to Naim Qassem, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant Wednesday (Oct 30) warned that his appointment was “temporary” and not “for long.”

Gallant also posted a photo of the new leader, who was appointed on October 29 following the death of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on September 27.

The Israeli government also suggested that Qassem’s tenure may be brief, saying, “His tenure in this position may be the shortest in the history of this terrorist organisation if he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors.”

(With inputs from agencies)