This is an entry from: Live: Over 200 Lebanese children killed in two months of Israeli attacks
Naim Qassem says Hezbollah chose 'preemptive defence' by clashing with Israel
30 October 2024 13:21 GMT
In his first recorded televised speech since being appointed as Hezbollah secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem said that his group's solidarity with the Gaza Strip was a "duty".
Responding to claims that Hezbollah should not have initiated clashes with Israel on 8 October, 2023, Qassem says his group took part in "preemptive defence" against Israel.
He says Israel has been planning a war with Lebanon for a long time, and that the Israeli army violated Lebanon by air and sea at least 39,000 times since their last war in 2006.
"They were filming, observing our movements, gathering data for information," he said.