Intelligence assessments indicate that some 5,000 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the start of the war.
By Hezy Laing
A surprising admission from Lebanon: Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem gave a speech on Tuesday ahead of Ashura Day and made unusual remarks expressing recognition of the IDF’s military superiority.
“If I want to compare the strength of the resistance with the strength of Israel and say that through the power of the resistance I want to defeat Israel – then I am not speaking correctly,” Qassem said in his speech. He added and made it unequivocally clear: “It is impossible that through the power of resistance we will be able to break Israel’s strength, army versus army.”
In his remarks, the organization’s leader admitted that the defeat of Israel militarily was an unreasonable goal.
The response came quickly from the IDF Spokesperson in Arabic, Avichai Edrei, who took the opportunity to sting the organization’s secretary-general on social media. “Naim Qasem, it seems that this may be the first time that you say the right thing – contrary to your habit,” Edrei wrote on his X account, adding emphatically: “Yes, Israel is not broken.”
Edrei went on to attack the organization’s leadership, reminding them of the warnings of the past and the price of the mistakes of their predecessors.
“We have warned you again and again and made it clear to you that the State of Israel – thanks to its strong will, its fighting doctrine, the cohesion of its people and its tremendous military power – is a rock on which all your illusions are shattered,” he wrote. He even mentioned the previous secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, and noted, “I wish you had learned from your predecessor, who publicly admitted his remorse when he said, ‘If only I knew.'”
Intelligence assessments indicate that some 5,000 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the start of the war, including senior field commanders such as Ali Hussein Burji, Abbas Raad, and Wissam al‑Tawil.
Since Israel’s Operation Beeper and expanded precision‑strike campaign in early 2024, Hezbollah has also lost dozens of command centers, surveillance sites, and long‑range missile units.
Lebanese media outlets have reported that the organization has experienced its highest casualty rate since the 2006 Lebanon War, with entire Radwan Force platoons degraded by targeted strikes in the Bint Jbeil, Maroun al‑Ras, and Aita al‑Shaab sectors.
Qassem’s’s admission coincides with growing internal Lebanese opposition to Hezbollah, including from within the Shiite community that historically formed its core base.
Lebanon’s severe economic collapse, which the World Bank has described as one of the worst financial crises globally since the 19th century, has intensified public anger toward Hezbollah’s role in provoking conflict with Israel.
Prominent Shiite figures such as Ali al‑Amin, a well‑known Shiite cleric critical of Hezbollah, and the late intellectual Lokman Slim, assassinated in 2021, have accused the organization of dragging Lebanon into destructive wars that serve Iranian interests rather than Lebanese sovereignty.
In cities such as Tyre, Nabatieh, and Baalbek, residents have publicly complained about the economic cost of Hezbollah’s military activities, the destruction of infrastructure, and the loss of tourism and agriculture revenue.
Polling by the Beirut‑based Arab Barometer in 2026 even showed a significant decline in Shiite support for a Hezbollah, the organizations main base of support.
Within Hezbollah‑controlled municipalities, local leaders have expressed frustration over the group’s unilateral decisions, arguing that Lebanon cannot withstand another prolonged conflict.
Qassem’s remarks appear to reflect this shifting internal landscape, acknowledging both the military reality and the growing domestic pressure facing Hezbollah as Lebanon struggles through its most severe crisis in modern history.
10 Comments
David M Averill
June 25, 2026Let’s not forget the grace of God!
Jill
June 25, 2026Yes indeed.
Rob
June 25, 2026The isrealie people that give the state of Israel its strength and power. Long live Israel ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Richard1ne
June 25, 2026Whoever is leading Hezbollah… Isn’t it time to prevent more deaths by stopping!
Edward Weinberg
June 25, 20265000 Hezbullahs killed sounds like a nice number but there are up to 100,000 of these creatures running around so whatever we are doing we need to keep on doing it even if Mr Trump and Mr Vance’s feeling are hurt!!!
Gary Katz
June 25, 2026Israel has to convince the remaining jihadists to find new careers.
Luisa B Fijman
June 25, 2026Something very important to keep in mind is the support that these vermins receive from elements in the USA !!!Just look at the many Jews in academia and cities like NYwhich voted for Mandame and the bastard jew that defeated Goldman!!!!!!KARMA always works!!!!I wonder how is he explaining to his little girl his experience at the cafe??????/May be he needs to buy her “The diary of Ana Frank and read it with her!!!!!.
fmlondon
June 25, 2026So stop murdering Jews, and they will leave you alone.
Renee Kearns
June 25, 2026Good then you know whats waiting for you round the next corner…..
mireille Mechoullam
June 25, 2026The Jew hater will never stop.
they should all drop dead. Amen.