In his first speech since Nasrallah was assassinated, Naim Qassem said in a statement broadcast by Hezbollah's Al-Manar channel that if Israel decides to launch a ground offensive, Hezbollah fighters are ready to fight and defend Lebanon.

As deputy secretary-general, Naim Qassem now is the acting leader of Hezbollah until a replacement for Nasrallah is chosen.

Qassem added that despite the killing of Hezbollah’s top military commanders over the past months, Hezbollah now is relying on new commanders.

"Israel was not able to affect our capabilities,” Qassem said.

“There are deputy commanders and there are replacements in case a commander is wounded in any post.”

Qassem said that his group would choose a successor for Nasrallah "at the earliest opportunity."

He added that Nasrallah was killed with four other people, including an Iranian commander, and not some 20 comrades as Israel has claimed.

No budging
 

Qassem vowed that Hezbollah would  "not budge an inch from our positions, will continue confronting the Israeli enemy in support of Gaza and Palestine, in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the assassinations and the killing of civilians."

"We have prepared and geared up and are confident that the Israeli enemy will not achieve its goals and we will emerge victorious," he said.

“Hezbollah is executing the minimum part of the battle plan according to the estimates and plans drawn up and what the field requires."

"Israel is committing massacres in all areas of Lebanon until there is no house left without the effects of Israel's aggression in it."

He pointed out that the United States "supports Israel in all its massacres through the open support it provides to it."

"This great people, who were steadfast in difficult battles in the past, will win as they won in 2006 over the Israeli enemy."

He added: "Everything we have gone through - from pagers attack and the martyrdom of the leaders - would have shaken armies, but we have not been broken and will continue to fight and sacrifice."

Long battle
 

"We need some patience and we have prepared based on our strengths."

“Our party structure has deputies and substitutes for leaders ready when the leader is injured in any position."

"The alternative plans that Sayyed Nasrallah had set for individuals and substitute leaders are being followed up."

“We will are ready to confront the Israelis if they decided to carry out a ground invasion.”

 "The battle is long and the options are open," said Qassem.