Hezbollah strongly condemned Australia’s decision to impose sanctions on its Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, calling the move "unjust and baseless."

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Lebanese resistance group denounced the decision as a "clear bias in favor of the Zionist entity," accusing Australia of serving as a tool for the "US-Zionist project." The group further criticized the Australian government for what it described as "covering up Israeli aggression and terrorism."

"This decision is neither legally nor morally justified; rather, it represents an overt alignment with the Zionist entity and provides a shield for its crimes," Hezbollah stated.

The group pointed to Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, asserting that global audiences have witnessed "the massacres and crimes committed by the Zionist enemy against innocent civilians." Hezbollah emphasized that the world increasingly recognizes "who the true terrorist is, who is committing genocide and war crimes, and who is providing political and legal cover for these atrocities."

"It would have been more fitting for the Australian government to hold the Zionist killers accountable and stand with the oppressed in Lebanon and Palestine," the statement added.

Hezbollah reaffirmed that the sanctions would have no impact on its resistance or its commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause. "This decision will not affect the morale of the steadfast Lebanese resistance, nor will it change Hezbollah’s natural right to resist and defend its people and country," the statement read. "On the contrary, it will only strengthen our determination to continue confronting the occupier."

The Australian government announced the sanctions against Sheikh Naim Qassem on Monday, as part of its broader policies targeting entities and individuals linked to the Lebanese resistance movement.

Hezbollah's Shura Council announced in late October that it had elected Sheikh Naim Qassem as the party's Secretary-General, succeeding Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. This decision, "grounded in the principles of true Islam and the steadfast ideals of Hezbollah, follows the party's established procedures for selecting the Secretary-General," according to Hezbollah's statement. 

Hezbollah expressed its commitment to upholding the legacy of Sheikh Qassem's predecessor, describing the election as part of a sacred mission. "We pledge to God Almighty, to the soul of our beloved martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (may God be pleased with him), to the martyrs, to the Islamic resistance fighters, and to our resilient and loyal people, to work together to fulfill Hezbollah's principles and goals."

Hezbollah emphasized the organization's dedication to carrying forward the cause of resistance. The Shura Council expressed its hope for Sheikh Qassem's success in leading Hezbollah, entrusting him with the responsibility of preserving the movement's resistance and raising its banner until victory.

For more on the Hezbollah Secretary-General, read: Hezbollah announces Sheikh Naim Qassem as Secretary-General