(The U.S. Sun) HEZBOLLAH has named its new boss as Naim Qassem – an ageing terrorist who gave a chilling speech earlier this month vowing to fight on.
Qassem, the former deputy leader, is replacing Hassan Nasrallah – who was killed by Israel last month in massive airstrikes on Beirut.
The 71-year-old takes the reins as Hezbollah is defending against an Israeli invasion in the south of Lebanon.
Unlike Nasrallah who ruled Hezbollah for three decades, Qassem’s leadership may be short lived.
His accession to the top of Hezbollah will make him the chief target for ruthlessly efficient Israeli assassins who have already killed dozens of terror chiefs in Lebanon and Gaza.
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gollant sent a chilling threat in Hebrew on X in response to the announcement saying “The appointment is temporary. The countdown has begun.”
Qassem has been a senior figure in the Iran-backed movement for more than 30 years and was the acting boss following Nasrallah’s death.
He is currently living in Tehran, having fled Lebanon on an Iranian plane with the country’s foreign minister on October 5, UAE-based Erem News outlet reports.
His transfer was ordered by top leaders of the Islamic Republic for fear of assassination by Israel, the source says.
In a statement announcing the transition, Hezbollah said: “God Almighty has spoken the truth.
