The Israeli military has said it killed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem in an overnight strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem is now a target, following overnight rocket and drone attacks launched at Israel by the Lebanese group.

In his first statement following his appointment, Hezbollah's newly appointed Secretary General Naim Qassem expressed his gratitude to the party leadership for selecting him to take on this significant responsibility, News.Az reports.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Tuesday it had elected deputy head Naim Qassem to succeed slain secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air attack on Beirut's southern suburb over a month ago, News.Azreports citing Reuters .

Hezbollah fighters are primed to confront any Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon, the group's deputy leader Naim Qassem said on Monday in his first public speech since Israeli airstrikes killed its veteran chief Hassan Nasrallah last week, News.Az reports citing BBC.