In a rare television interview from the war zone in southern Lebanon, a Hezbollah commander has rejected Israeli claims that the group’s military capabilities have been severely degraded, asserting instead that its fighters continue to inflict significant damage on Israeli forces.
Speaking exclusively to India Today’s Ashraf Wani, Hassan, identified as a spokesperson for Hezbollah in south Lebanon, said the group remains firmly entrenched on the ground and enjoys strong local backing despite weeks of intense fighting.
Dismissing Israeli assertions that Hezbollah’s infrastructure and weaponry have been destroyed, Hassan said the group had anticipated the conflict for months.
“We were waiting for this war for the last 15 months,” he said, accusing Israel of repeatedly violating a ceasefire and targeting civilian areas in south Lebanon. “They attacked thousands of times during the ceasefire, damaging homes and infrastructure.”
He added that Hezbollah’s presence in the region goes beyond its fighters. “We want to tell our enemies that Hezbollah will never finish. Everyone in south Lebanon is Hezbollah,” he said, framing the group as a broader resistance movement rooted in local support.
CLAIMS OF BATTLEFIELD GAINS
On the ground situation, Hassan claimed that Hezbollah has managed to slow Israeli advances and inflict losses on its military assets.
“In 25 days of war, we have damaged 119 Merkava tanks and armoured vehicles and are not allowing them to reach near the Litani river,” he said. He also claimed that Hezbollah had targeted at least 20 Israeli military bases in northern Israel.
These claims could not be independently verified.
‘NO TIMELINE FOR WAR’
Hassan made it clear that Hezbollah is preparing for a prolonged conflict, ruling out any immediate end to hostilities. “There is no timeline for this war. If we don’t fight, Israel will crush us. We will fight to our last breath,” he said.
He also pointed to the displacement of civilians from southern Lebanon, saying many who fled have expressed support for continued fighting. “People who have been displaced say: don’t return without victory,” he added.
ON IRAN AND SUPPORT
Addressing questions about Iran’s role, Hassan described Hezbollah as an indigenous movement formed in 1982, while acknowledging Tehran’s support over time.
“Iran wanted to help us with weapons to support the people of Lebanon,” he said, suggesting that current realities on the battlefield would ultimately answer questions about ongoing supply lines.
The remarks come as the war between Israel and Hezbollah pushes Lebanon deeper into crisis. The conflict has killed over 1,000 people and displaced more than a million, straining the country’s fragile sectarian balance.
Israeli bombardment and evacuation orders have forced large numbers of people from Hezbollah strongholds into other parts of the country, fuelling tensions between communities and intensifying political divisions.
Analysts warn that the ongoing conflict risks destabilising Lebanon further, with growing friction between Hezbollah and the government, and fears that prolonged displacement could trigger wider internal unrest.
