Hezbollah says Israel unable to ‘break’ group on anniversary of Nasrallah’s killing

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem addressed supporters in Lebanon on Sunday, marking the second anniversary of the death of late leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has been unable to break the Iran-backed group, Qassem asserted, despite an all-out war in 2024 and subsequent airstrikes and a ground invasion that have killed over 4,300 people.

Hezbollah demonstrated Israel's inability to achieve its goals of breaking the resistance, ending its existence, and consolidating the Israeli occupation, Qassem said in a televised speech. Tens of thousands of people gathered near Nasrallah's tomb in Beirut, chanting "death to Israel" and carrying Hezbollah, Lebanese, and Iranian flags.

Nasrallah was killed in a massive Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2024, during two months of conflict. His chosen successor, Hashem Safieddine, was also commemorated on Sunday after being killed in another strike. The latest hostilities have further weakened Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities committed to disarming the group after a ceasefire in November 2024, but progress on disarmament has stalled.

Israel maintains troops in a self-declared security zone in south Lebanon, and its finance minister called for the annexation of areas under Israeli control. Hezbollah vowed to continue its path, even if all its members become martyrs.