The assassination of Commander Haitham Ali al-Tabatabai and his comrades was "a blatant act of aggression and a heinous crime," Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem affirmed, stressing that Hezbollah has the right to respond and will determine the timing at its own choosing. 

Speaking at the memorial ceremony for the martyred leader and his four comrades, he asserted that "the goal of the assassination has not and will not be achieved, and we will continue down the same path," clarifying that "the goal of assassinating the most prominent figure in the battle and rebuilding capabilities was to undermine morale and sow confusion."

On November 23, "Israel" launched an airstrike on a residential building in Beirut's Southern Suburb, leading to the martyrdom of Hezbollah's Chief of Staff Haitham Ali al-Tabatabai and four of his companions.

#Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh #NaimQassem delivered a speech today at the memorial ceremony honoring Commander Haitham al-Tabatabai and his four comrades.

He paid tribute to the martyrs, marked the anniversary of the Lebanon ceasefire, and addressed the ongoing Israeli… pic.twitter.com/d2arwDkfGH

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 28, 2025

Ceasefire marks a victory for Hezbollah, Lebanon, and its people: Sheikh Qassem

On the issue of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreement, which completed its first year yesterday, Sheikh Qassem reiterated that the deal marked a victory for the Resistance, Hezbollah, the people, and Lebanon, “because we prevented the enemy from achieving its goals, foremost of which was finishing off the resistance.”

“The People of Might Battle was a confrontation led by a modest force, incomparable to the enemy’s strength, but it was noble in spirit, brimming with courage, resolve, and unwavering faith in victory," the Secretary-General of Hezbollah emphasized, asserting that "the project of Israel came crashing into the defenses of the People of Might Battle."

He noted that "the agreement came because we held fast, empowered by our vision, our faith, our will, our people, our patriotism, and our unwavering attachment to our land."

Israeli aggression is against all of Lebanon: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Addressing the recent attacks on the Lebanese president and army chief, Hezbollah's Secretary-General asked, “Isn’t there an aggression against the President of the Republic for acting wisely and the Army Commander for acting on the basis of protecting civil peace?” asserting in this context that Israeli aggression is an aggression on the entirety of all of Lebanon.

On the issue of the Resistance's weapons, Sheikh Qassem emphasized that "arms block Israel's project, and anyone seeking disarmament [of the resistance] is playing into Israel's hands."

He further stressed that all of Lebanon, primarily the government, bears responsibility for defending the country, as it approved the agreement and declared its intention to take the initiative and assume such a responsibility.

Yet, "Lebanon remains under Israeli aerial occupation,” the Resistance leader maintained.

“Let the government show us how it will deter the enemy,” he continued, affirming that deterrence comes through liberation, protection, or preventing the enemy from settling on our occupied land.

Hezbollah's arms prevent 'Israel' from consolidating positions

While maintaining that the [Lebanese] state remains the primary entity responsible for deterrence, Sheikh Qassem noted that so far, it has neither liberated nor provided protection and is today faced with the responsibility of preventing the enemy from consolidating its positions.

In this context, Sheikh Qassem explained that the state has chosen to try to do so through diplomatic and political means, emphasizing, however, that "Israel" knows it cannot establish stability as long as the Resistance exists.

He addressed the Lebanese state, saying, "Our readiness and defensive capabilities prevent the enemy from settling, and the state must utilize these capacities."

Sheikh Qassem also noted that the Lebanese officials are tasked with restoring sovereignty, land, detainees, and dignity.

In the same vein, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah pointed out that there are forces inside Lebanon that reject "Israel" and are ready to confront it, asserting that such rejection is not limited to the Resistance and its environment.

However, "Israel's servants in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and Israel," Sheikh Qassem asserted.

Threats neither advance nor delay matters: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Addressing recent threats and pressures exerted on the Resistance, Hezbollah's Secretary-General stated that "all these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective," adding that "they neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because Israel and the US are weighing their options."

The enemies, Sheikh Qassem emphasized, “must despair, for no matter what they do, this is a people who cannot be defeated or subdued," asserting at the same time, "We will neither be defeated nor surrender.”

"Our standard is liberty and self-rule, because for the submissive, life is but chains and shame," he stated.

The Secretary-General said that Hezbollah, its allies, “the honorable people of our nation, our families, and our army will not accept being subordinates to the United States or Israel," stressing that the solution lies in halting the aggression. Furthermore, he added that if it continues, “the government must stand firm and assert itself, using the available options and measures.”

Nevertheless, "the blood of our martyrs will not go in vain," Sheikh Qassem vowed, adding that "it is in our citizens’ best interest to stand united; only then will foreign actors be compelled to respect our will."

Furthermore, he emphasized that offering concessions only fuels the occupier’s ambitions, warning, “They cannot harm us without being harmed themselves" and asserting that "no one in Lebanon is authorized to relinquish Lebanon’s strength, its land, or its dignity."

On Pope's visit, Beit Jinn operation

In his speech, Sheikh Qassem welcomed Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon, noting that he gave instructions to address an open letter to the  Pope, which will be published in the media. 

Commenting on the recent Beit Jinn operation, Sheikh Qassem said it demonstrates that the Syrian people “will not accept surrendering to Israel,” describing it as a positive and encouraging sign.

Tabatabai, master of the People of Might Battle

Regarding martyr Haitham Ali al-Tabatabai, Sheikh Naim Qassem said that he was the master of the People of Might Battle in terms of professionally managing military operations. He noted that he possessed remarkable qualities in planning, boldness, and wise leadership in the heart of the battle, along with constant readiness for what comes next, considering him a model aligned with the path of the other martyr commanders.

The Secretary-General affirmed that "the assassination of Commander al-Tabatabai and his comrades is a blatant act of aggression and a heinous crime. We have the right to respond to it, and we will determine its timing at our own choosing."

"We are in an open battlefield where the enemy operates with great ease, in coordination with US, international, and Arab intelligence agencies," he emphasized.