Politicians react to Israel’s killing of Raad's son

A number of Lebanese politicians and spiritual leaders on Thursday reacted to the killing of the son of Hezbollah’s top MP Mohammed Raad in an Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati held phone talks with Raad to offer their condolences.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi meanwhile told a delegation from the Higher Islamic Shiite Council that he will call Raad to offer condolences. “Let the blood of the martyrs be for the sake of Lebanon and redemption, protection and preservation for the country, so that it remains the land of rapprochement and coexistence,” al-Rahi added.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil meanwhile called Raad and stressed that “his son’s martyrdom is an example for the Lebanese,” hoping it will be “on the path of protecting Lebanon and its rise.”

Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh for his part wrote on the X platform, formerly Twitter, that Raad’s words about firmness and faith are “not strange or surprising.”

MP Neemat Frem meanwhile offered condolences to Raad over “the martyrdom of his son above the precious land of the South, along with his comrades.”

“May God have mercy on the souls of those who have left us and may God grant patience to their families and to all Lebanese, as we strongly condemn the repeated Israeli attacks against every citizen and against every defender of a message and a cause. May God protect the South, Lebanon and the Lebanese,” Frem added.