Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem announced that Lebanon is currently going through “the heart of the storm and instability,” holding the United States and the “Israeli enemy” responsible for the current situation, and emphasizing that the Israeli attacks on Lebanon have not stopped despite the 2024 agreement.
In a speech delivered during the commemoration of the anniversary of the death of the founding leader, Hajj Abu Salim Yaghi, Qassem stated that the United States “sponsored corruption in Lebanon and protected its symbols,” and has been working since 2019 to undermine the Lebanese economy, with the aim of imposing its hegemony and control over various sectors of the state.
He pointed out that Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance, in cooperation with other factions and with the support of the Lebanese army and the people, contributed to the liberation of all Lebanese territories, not only the south, considering that the party’s journey in Lebanon was and still is “bright and sparkling.” He affirmed that the party’s performance in parliamentary and governmental work and in the public sphere was characterized by “clean hands,” and contributed to building the Lebanese state, stressing that serving the people is the basis and essence of the party’s approach.
In the political aspect, Qassem explained that Lebanon is facing today a decisive historical turning point between two options: either allowing the United States and “Israel” to achieve their goals by imposing complete control over Lebanon, or rising nationally to restore sovereignty and land and build the state. He affirmed that the project to disarm the resistance is an “Israeli-American” project, even if it is currently presented under the slogan of “exclusivity of weapons.”
He stressed that the demand for exclusivity of weapons in light of the continued Israeli attacks, as he put it, serves the interest of “Israel” and not the interest of Lebanon, considering that this proposal falls within a project aimed at ending Lebanon’s military capabilities, undermining the strength of a large segment of the Lebanese people, inciting discord with the Amal movement, and igniting strife between the resistance and the people, while maintaining the occupation in the five points.
Qassem pointed out that “Israel” still occupies parts of Lebanese territory, wondering how long this occupation will continue, and emphasizing that the experience of the resistance over 42 years has thwarted many Israeli projects. He considered that the state succeeded in Lebanon thanks to the presence of the resistance, while it failed in Syria due to its absence.
He addressed the 2024 agreement, pointing out that the Lebanese side made commitments and concessions, while “Israel” continued its attacks and violations, considering that the Lebanese government made additional free concessions without any Israeli commitments in return. He said: “I am surprised by those who do not see what is required of Israel, and try to interpret the agreement by imposing more demands on Hezbollah and Lebanon.”
He affirmed that the resistance adhered to the content of the agreement, as Lebanon adhered through the state and the army, while “Israel” continued its security incursions inside Lebanese territory. He questioned the role of the state in the recent kidnapping incident of officer Ahmed Shaker in the Zahle area, criticizing attempts to push for the Lebanese army to implement with a “violent hand,” noting that the scene of cooperation between the army and the resistance “annoyed” its opponents.
He explained that what the Lebanese army accomplished in terms of deployment south of the Litani was supposed to be done if “Israel” committed to stopping the aggression, withdrawing, and starting reconstruction, emphasizing that “Lebanon is no longer required to take any action on any level before the Israeli enemy fulfills its obligations,” and said: “Do not ask us for anything anymore… and Lebanon is not required to be a policeman for Israel.”
Qassem concluded his speech by affirming that the resistance will defend and stand firm, and will achieve its goals no matter how long it takes, calling for a halt to the aggression by air, land, and sea, complete withdrawal, the release of prisoners, and the reconstruction of the south, and emphasizing the strength of the relationship between Hezbollah and the Amal movement and their remaining “one hand in the face of the enemy.”
