Hezbollah deputy says capabilities remain 'solid', killed commanders replaced

Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a recorded speech that his group's capabilities remain "solid", despite Israeli claims that it has significantly weakened them following weeks of massive attacks.

"Our military capabilities are fine. What our enemies say about our fighting capabilities is an illusion. They are lying," Qassem said.

"Our fighters on the front line are solid. What happened over the last 10 days is the pain of the Israelis is increasing. We are telling them, more and more Israelis will be displaced from the settlements. The Israeli plan is to kill Lebanese civilians and empty villages to cause chaos.

"But I tell them, your efforts are a failure."

Qassem added that every commander Israel has assassinated has been replaced, and that a new secretary general will be appointed following Hezbollah's procedure.

On the Israeli ground invasion, where Israeli soldiers suffered losses against Hezbollah fighters, Qassem says "the Israeli enemy has not advanced".

While he expressed support for efforts led by key ally and Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to end the conflict, Qassem insisted that the group remains steadfast, and that "we will defeat Israel".