The head of Media Relations for Hezbollah, Mohammad Afif, held a press conference on Friday in the Southern Suburb of Beirut, an area deeply affected by the Israeli occupation's aggression on Lebanon, and praised Lebanese journalists for their resilience in reporting Israeli crimes, particularly those working in South Lebanon.

Afif commended the bravery of journalists and correspondents in conveying the truth amid intense Israeli censorship aimed at hiding its losses from Hezbollah's successful retaliatory strikes.

Afif criticized certain local media outlets for promoting Israeli narratives as part of a psychological war against Hezbollah, its people, and allies. He expressed disappointment over the Lebanese government's inaction toward these outlets, which broadcast Israeli propaganda.

He dismissed Israeli claims of Hezbollah weapon depots as baseless, adding that the occupation forces were preventing rescue operations for those trapped under the rubble, particularly in Mreijeh, under US pressure, particularly from the ambassador.

The top Hezbollah official went on to condemn Israeli attacks on Beirut as a continuation of its broader crimes across the country and called out the international community's silence over the assault on UN forces in the south.

Resistance, the only option

Moreover, Afif emphasized that resistance and force, not international resolutions, were the key to deterring Israeli crimes. He warned that recent strikes on Tel Aviv were just the beginning and assured that Hezbollah's fighters were fully prepared, with ample resources to continue the battle.

Addressing concerns over Israeli forces entering South Lebanon, Afif urged the public not to be disheartened, explaining that Hezbollah had a pre-planned strategy of flexible defense, aligned with battlefield conditions. He noted that despite the Israeli occupation's reinforcement of troops, it had failed to make significant progress.

Afif also criticized internal political discussions and foreign leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron, for pushing premature political outcomes from the ongoing situation. He reaffirmed that Hezbollah's priority remains defeating the Israeli occupation and halting the aggression through force.

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To the displaced due to Israeli attacks, Afif assured them that they are valued, pledging that Hezbollah would work to restore and rebuild their homes in the Southern Suburb, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa.

He concluded by stating that Hezbollah is unified from top to bottom, underlining that it is a "nation" and that "nations do not die."

Hezbollah denies Reuters report on hierarchy

In related news, Hezbollah's Media Relations office has dismissed a recent report by Reuters regarding an alleged "new leadership for the ground war" within the Resistance movement, labeling the claims as "pure fabrication".

The report, which detailed Hezbollah's war strategies, weapons, and leadership changes, was described by Hezbollah as "the imagination of the agency's writers, journalists, and security advisors."

In an official statement, Hezbollah firmly stated, "There are no sources within Hezbollah," refuting Reuters' attribution of information to a so-called "field commander in Hezbollah." The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon stressed that the statements attributed to the commander were entirely false.

Meanwhile, Avraham Levine, an analyst with Alma, an Israeli think-tank, warned Friday that Hezbollah remains a "serious threat" to the Israeli occupation forces despite claims of disruptions in the Resistance movement's leadership.

Speaking to Reuters, Levine stressed that Hezbollah is "well-prepared and waiting" for any Israeli military action, noting that they remain highly capable.

"The fact that the chain of command has been damaged does not take away the ability to shoot Israeli communities or try to hit Israeli forces," Levine said.

Moreover, he described Hezbollah as the very same Resistance army that the Israeli occupation and the remainder of the world have come to know. 

Israeli media indicated on Thursday that Hezbollah had neither been defeated nor broken following the recent assassinations against its members

This comes amid ongoing Israeli aggression across Lebanon, especially the country's southern and eastern regions, as well as Beirut's Southern Suburb, which has so far killed 2,169 people, with 10,212 others wounded, according to the latest statistics from the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah's fighters continue to inflict heavy losses and casualties on Israeli troops attempting to infiltrate Lebanese towns from occupied Palestinian territories since "Israel" announced a "limited ground incursion" over a week ago, despite Israeli officials claiming that the group's capabilities have been reduced during this round of confrontation.