Days after ceasefire, Hezbollah chief makes surprising claim, declares ‘Divine Victory’ against Israel

Iran-Hezbollah war: In a significant statement after the ceasefire declaration between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem termed the ceasefire declaration as a “great victory”. Qaseem declared it as a victory as he claimed that the through the war, Israel was “prevented” from destroying the militant group. In his first speech after the declaration, Qassem termed the “ divine victory” even greater than “that of July 2006″.
“I have decided to declare… officially and clearly that we are facing a great victory that surpasses that of July 2006,” Qassem said, adding, “We won because we prevented the enemy from destroying Hezbollah… (and) from annihilating or weakening the resistance.”
“To those that were betting that Hezbollah would be weakened, we are sorry, their bets have failed,” he added.
Hezbollah chief pledges to coordinate with army to implement truce
The head of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, pledged on Friday (November 29) to coordinate closely with the Lebanese army to implement a ceasefire deal with Israel, which he said his group had agreed to “with heads held high.”
It was his first address since a ceasefire came into effect on Wednesday after more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel that decimated swathes of Lebanon and killed 4,000 people, including hundreds of women and children.
Qassem said Hezbollah had “approved the deal, with the resistance strong in the battlefield, and our heads held high with our right to defend (ourselves).”
The ceasefire stipulates that Hezbollah will withdraw from areas south of the Litani river, which runs some 30 km (20 miles) north of the border with Israel, and that the Lebanese army will deploy troops there as Israeli ground troops withdraw.
Hundreds attend funerals of Hezbollah fighters
A funeral was held in Maarakeh in southern Lebanon, on Friday (November 29) for Hezbollah fighters who were killed during hostilities with Israeli forces. Mourners and relatives of those killed before the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect on Wednesday (November 27), marched behind coffins wrapped in yellow Hezbollah flags.
Women and children held posters showing the deceased fighters, before prayers were held during the funeral.
The ceasefire stipulates that Hezbollah will withdraw from areas south of the Litani river, which runs some 30 km (20 miles) north of the border with Israel, and that the Lebanese army will deploy troops there as Israeli ground troops withdraw.
(With inputs from agencies)