Radwan Force Commander Killed in Israeli Airstrike as New Hezbollah Leader Gives First Speech

Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, says, ‘My plan is the continuation of Nasrallah’s plan in all respects – political, cultural, and jihad.’

By United with Israel and Pesach Benson, TPS

The Israel Defense Forces disclosed the elimination of a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in an airstrike on Wednesday shortly before Hezbollah’s new leader was due to make his first speech.

Mustafa Ahmad Shahadi was the Deputy Commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces in the area of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, the IDF said.

“Shahadi was previously responsible for the Radwan Forces’ operations during combat in Syria between 2012 and 2017, and additionally oversaw terror attacks in southern Lebanon,” the army said.

Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, gave his first speech on Wednesday afternoon. The Iran-backed terror group announced Qassem’s appointment on Monday, replacing Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike in Beirut. Hashem Safieddine, who was widely viewed as Nasrallah’s successor, was subsequently killed by Israel.

In response to Hezbollah’s announcement, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tweeted, “Temporary appointment. Not for long.”

During his speech, the broadcast of which, according to Channel 14, was cut off midway due to “technical issues” and later restored, Qassem said, “My plan is the continuation of Nasrallah’s plan in all respects – political, cultural, and jihad. We will continue to carry out the war plan that we decided on together with the organization’s leadership, we will stay on the war path – while dealing with the political challenges and we will respond to developments at this stage.”

He continued, “Netanyahu justified his war in Lebanon by saying that it is for the sake of the new Middle East and his government ministers announced that they want to build settlements in southern Lebanon. This is an American-European-Israeli war aimed at eliminating the resistance.”

He claimed, “We said for 11 months that we do not want war, but we are prepared if it is forced upon us and we will win. We are not fighting in the name of anyone, but to protect Lebanon, liberate our land, and support Gaza.”

“The enemy has three [daily] casualties on average and he hasn’t even come close to achieving his war goals. Our fighting is special and extraordinary,” he added.

He later threatened the Israeli Prime Minister: “Netanyahu is afraid of the drones we launched towards his house. This time he was saved. Diplomats contacted us and said how dare you attack Netanyahu’s house, we told them that Israel attacked our leader, Nasrallah. This time he was saved. We don’t know when he will die, but it is possible that one of the Israelis will kill him or he will die in one of his speeches.”

Also on Wednesday, two people suffered shrapnel injuries during a Hezbollah barrage in the area of Metula. Meanwhile, a drone launched by Hezbollah damaged an industrial building in Nahariya. A photo circulating in the Israeli media showed damage to a corrugated steel roof and some broken windows.

After the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, Hezbollah began firing rockets and launching drones at northern Israel communities daily. More than 68,000 residents of northern Israel are displaced from their homes. Hezbollah leaders have repeatedly said they would continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes.

According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War, the terror group is forbidden from operating in southern Lebanon.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.