'Israel' must fully withdraw on February 18, Sheikh Qassem says
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Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stresses the need for the Israeli occupation to withdraw from southern Lebanon, discouraging it from violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
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Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem during a public speech commemorating Hezbollah's martyred leaders on February 16, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Sheikh Qassem strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s stance on the Palestinian cause and Gaza, calling it a dangerous attempt to erase Palestine and its people.
"Trump’s positions on the Palestinian cause are extremely dangerous; they aim to eliminate Palestine and its people through a process of political genocide," Sheikh Qassem declared during a speech marking the annual commemoration of Hezbollah’s martyred leaders.
He stressed that this plan, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is doomed to fail. "The political genocide that Trump and Netanyahu seek to impose is not feasible against this steadfast Palestinian people," he said.
Sheikh Qassem firmly rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land, particularly to neighboring Arab countries. "We strongly condemn and reject any displacement of Palestinians—whether to Egypt, Jordan, or Saudi Arabia. These countries must cooperate in rejecting such a plan," he stated.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader accused the United States of orchestrating the Israeli regime's actions, asserting that "today, more than ever, it is clear that everything Israel does is managed and directed by the United States, serving Washington’s expansionist goals."
He also blamed international silence for enabling US policies. "The Arab and international silence during the aggression is what has allowed the US to reach this position," he said.
Hezbollah integral part of domestic politics
On Lebanese affairs, Sheikh Qassem defended Hezbollah’s role in the country’s presidential elections. "Everyone acknowledges that the national duo (Hezbollah and Amal) has completed the presidential election process, and we have been an integral part of achieving national consensus," he said.
He also addressed the occupation's planned withdrawal from Lebanese territory, emphasizing that the occupation must end. "Israel must fully withdraw on February 18, and it is primarily and exclusively the responsibility of the Lebanese state to ensure this happens," Sheikh Qassem stressed.
Warning of consequences if the Israeli occupation fails to comply, he added, "If the Israelis remain and do not implement the agreement, we will not spell out how they will be dealt with."
Reaffirming Hezbollah’s support for the Lebanese people, Sheikh Qassem pledged: "We are with the people and reconstruction. We will not abandon them—whether in providing shelter, restoration, or rebuilding. We remain committed to our responsibility."
'Israel' threatens Beirut airport
He also revealed a security threat regarding Beirut’s airport, stating, "A message was relayed to the Lebanese government that Israel would strike the Beirut airport runway if the Iranian plane landed."
Calling for a sovereign response, Sheikh Qassem urged Lebanese authorities to reconsider their stance. "I call on Lebanese authorities to review the decision regarding the Iranian plane and uphold their sovereign position," he said.
Finally, he encouraged mass participation in the upcoming funeral procession for martyred Hezbollah Secretaries General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine. "We have a great and significant funeral on February 23. I invite everyone to renew their pledge to this path through the broadest participation and the highest level of discipline," he concluded.
Sheikh Qassem also went on to call for "mass participation" in the procession, stressing that the Resistance and its popular base would not "fold under pressure, as it cannot weaken us."
Sheikh Qassem pays tribute to martyred leaders
Sheikh Qassem paid tribute to the group’s martyred leaders, highlighting their sacrifices and the resistance’s evolution in the face of Israeli aggression.
Speaking on the anniversary of their martyrdom, Qassem recalled that "collaborators assassinated Sheikh Ragheb Harb in Jibsheet in southern Lebanon in 1984," describing him as a popular leader who "gathered people from all villages and stood courageously against the Israeli occupation."
He also praised former Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Abbas Mousawi, saying, "He was a model for the Resistance fighters, always by their side, attending their farewell ceremonies before they went to the front lines." He emphasized that "the language of victory never left Sayyed Abbas Mousawi’s lips."
Regarding senior commander Imad Mughniyeh, Sheikh Qassem described him as "a brilliant security and military strategist."
The Hezbollah leader reflected on the Resistance's progress, stating, "The resistance advanced significantly from the assassination of Sheikh Ragheb Harb to the martyrdom of Sayyed Abbas Mousawi." He underscored that "when leaders are martyred, the movement grows from their blood and sacrifices."
He reaffirmed that "the path of the martyred leaders is one—the path of the Islamic resistance." According to Sheikh Qassem, "Jihad against the Israeli enemy was always their priority," and their defining characteristic was "the fusion of spiritual faith with military strength."
"We must wage jihad to confront falsehood and break it," He added, "We do not surrender, we do not suffer defeat, and falsehood will never prevail over us."
Moreover, on the 20th anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Sheikh Qassem extended his condolences to Hariri’s family and expressed hope for Lebanese unity. "I hope the Lebanese people remain united," he said.
