On September 30, 2024, Naeem Qassem, the Deputy Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, suggested that he may be appointed as the party’s new leader following the death of Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday, along with four others, including a deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Qassem stated, "The choices will be easy because they are clear, and we are united as one." He emphasized that the party's structure remains intact despite the Israeli assassinations, asserting that any fallen leader has a deputy who can be appointed immediately. "An Secretary-General will be appointed as soon as possible," he added.

In his first remarks since Nasrallah's death, Qassem delivered a recorded speech underscoring that Hezbollah would continue to fight Israel in support of Gaza and Palestine, in response to the killings of civilians and targeted assassinations. He warned, "We will confront any eventuality and are prepared if the Israelis decide to launch a ground invasion."

Qassem noted that the Iran-backed group continues its operations according to pre-established plans, describing its current attacks as being at a "minimum" level of intensity, while suggesting that the conflict "could be prolonged."

He mentioned that Hezbollah's operations have maintained or increased in pace since Nasrallah's death, reporting that the group targeted Israeli positions up to 150 kilometers inside Israel.

In recent days, Israel has shifted its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon, which has faced daily Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah, particularly following the assassination of Nasrallah.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that 105 people were killed and 359 injured as a result of Israeli attacks on Sunday.

Approximately a year after the onset of cross-border shelling, Israel began extensive airstrikes on various locations in Lebanon on September 23.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in daily exchanges of fire since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli sites on October 7, prompting an ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes have resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries across Lebanon, displacing and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

About a week ago, the Israeli military announced the continuation of its air operations in Lebanon as part of a campaign dubbed "Northern Arrows."

Hezbollah has reported launching rockets at Israeli positions, although most have been intercepted by defensive systems.