Hezbollah appoints Naim Kassem as leader amid escalating Gaza conflict

Hezbollah has named Naim Kassem as its new leader following the death of Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month.

Previously serving as Nasrallah’s deputy, Kassem had temporarily assumed leadership duties and was officially appointed on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, violence has intensified in northern Gaza. An Israeli airstrike on a five-story building in Beit Lahiya resulted in the deaths of at least 34 displaced Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with another 20 people reported injured.

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Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, stated that the hospital is overwhelmed with casualties following recent airstrikes, which have included the detention of several medics by Israeli forces.

The conflict began on October 7 after a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, igniting clashes that have resulted in more than 43,000 Palestinian casualties, as reported by local authorities.

Israel’s restrictions on aid to northern Gaza have raised concerns from the U.S., which has warned that a failure to increase humanitarian access could impact future military support.