Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem has vowed to avenge the killing of the group’s top military commander, Haitham Ali Tabatabai, who died in an Israeli airstrike near Beirut on November 23. In a televised speech on November 27, Qassem described the attack as a 'clear act of aggression and a brutal crime,' asserting Hezbollah’s right to respond at a time of its choosing. He did not specify whether a new war with Israel was imminent but urged Lebanon to rely on its army and citizens for defense. Qassem also expressed hope that the upcoming visit of Pope Leo to Lebanon would help promote peace and curb Israeli aggression. He claimed Hezbollah has abided by the ceasefire agreement effective since November 2024, while accusing Israel of continued attacks. In response, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee criticized Lebanon’s army for failing to curb Hezbollah’s weapons buildup in the south.