According to a report by the Times of Israel on Friday 13 March, 2026, Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, said on Friday night that the group is bracing for what he described as a prolonged confrontation with Israel, brushing aside threats that he could be targeted for assassination.

Speaking in a televised address, Qassem suggested the warnings coming from Israel carry little weight. According to him, the group has already made the necessary preparations for a drawn-out conflict. He implied that Israel could face unexpected developments if fighting escalates further.

“We have prepared ourselves for a long confrontation, and God willing, they (Israelis) will be surprised on the battlefield,” Qassem said. See More/Details