Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem accused Israel in his speech this evening (Monday) of the assassination of Mohammad Hamadi, a senior commander in the organization, who was shot dead near his home last week. Qassem claimed that “treacherous hands assassinated Mohammad Hamadi” and mentioned that investigations are still ongoing. However, he stated that “attention is directed toward the Zionists. We are investigating the major breaches to draw lessons.”
According to reports from the Saudi Al-Hadath channel, armed men in two vehicles opened fire on Hamadi. He was evacuated from the scene to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. After the incident, the motive and the responsible party were unclear.
Hezbollah Caught Off Guard
In his speech, Qassem further stated, “We have built a deterrent force, and our supporters did not expect us to lose a significant number of leaders in such a short time. The enemy’s control over intelligence, communication, and the air force were among the factors contributing to the strikes against us.”
Regret Over Going to War
He hinted at regret over declaring war against Israel, stating, “The enemy sought to stop the attacks, and we agreed because we did not want them in the first place. We did not decide on a war. We agreed to the ceasefire agreement because the state decided to protect the borders and expel Israel. This is an opportunity for the state to fulfill its duties and examine its capabilities on the political level.”
The Ceasefire in Lebanon
Qassem’s statement comes amid the extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon until February 18 and the government’s announcement that the IDF would not withdraw from southern Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the extension this morning, saying, “We will continue to strictly enforce the ceasefires in the north and south. Anyone who violates the agreements or threatens IDF forces will pay the full price. We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7.”
