Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, affirmed that the resistance is prepared for defense but is not preparing to initiate a battle, explaining that while they have no decision to start a fight or to take the initiative in combat, they are willing to defend Lebanon in case of war

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that if a battle is forced upon them, they will fight the Israelis with whatever means they have, even if it comes down to the last man or woman, and will not allow them to pass through South Lebanon.

He pointed out in an exclusive interview with Al-Manar TV on Sunday that "the rhythm of the daily aggressions we are witnessing is pressure from America and Israel to achieve through politics what they have failed to accomplish on the ground."

Furthermore, he warned that “if the enemy launches a war on Lebanon, it will achieve nothing,” urging the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. He added that “everyone stands to benefit if the agreement is upheld, but if it is not, they will gain nothing, and we will continue preparing to resist any potential aggression.”

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah explained that the resistance possesses a level of deterrence that, while it may not prevent a war from breaking out, would stop the enemy from achieving its goals, adding that during the previous war, the enemy failed to meet its objectives, and this new agreement would not bring it any closer to success either.

Regarding the ongoing investigations into infiltration within Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim noted that the resistance “is continuing its inquiries and will announce their completion and share the findings with the public once they are finalized,” adding that he had made this promise before and that it “will, God willing, be fulfilled.”

The State is responsible for Defense: Sheikh Naim Qassem

When asked why Hezbollah had not responded to "Israel’s" daily attacks, the Secretary-General said that after the ceasefire agreement was reached, the group handed over the responsibility to the Lebanese state, which now bears the duty of defending the country, asserting its sovereignty, applying pressure, and preventing further aggression.

Sheikh Qassem urged the Lebanese state to fulfill its responsibilities, noting that “ten months have passed, and you still haven’t been able to take even minimal action,” warning that the resistance’s silence “may not last much longer.”

He explained that the resistance’s fight against "Israel" is not limited to defending Lebanon, but also extends to protecting Palestine, Egypt, and Syria, as the enemy’s ambitions, he said, threaten the entire region.

Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that “it is the Lebanese state that decides how it wishes to handle internal matters, whether related to weapons or anything else, and Israel has nothing to do with that.”

Additionally, he denied claims that Iran refuses to provide weapons, noting that the resistance in Lebanon and Iran share common ground in opposing occupation and striving for the liberation of Palestine.

He affirmed that the resistance’s stance is “to defend and resist until the last breath, and let the enemy try to seize the weapons on its own,” adding that “the Lebanese government should act more effectively, because the mechanism in place has done nothing except serve Israel’s interests.”

The resistance recovered swiftly: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Discussing "Israel’s" 2024 war on Lebanon, Sheikh Naim Qassem told Al-Manar that he immediately assumed his responsibilities following the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, noting that he coordinated with the late Sayyed Hashim Safi al-Din on military matters while he took charge of political affairs.

Sheikh Qassem added that he had not anticipated losing the party’s second Secretary-General so suddenly and in such a manner, describing the event as a turning point in his personal life and in how he approached his responsibilities.

He explained that he never felt alone in managing the party’s affairs, saying that “we consulted with our brothers and the Shura Council members, making decisions collectively, and we also coordinated with military leadership, issuing directives while listening to their suggestions.”

The Secretary-General emphasized that “Hezbollah has never been built around a single individual, but rather on an integrated group of fighters and cadres who share responsibilities and roles.”

Hezbollah after the martyrdom of the two Sayyeds

Related News

Lebanon passes banking restructuring law to secure funds from the IMF

Lebanon's BDL partners with US-based firm to boost financial oversight

Regarding the “People of Might” battle, Sheikh Naim Qassem said its achievements “belong to the party and the resistance as a whole, not to any single individual, as everyone performed their roles with coordination and responsibility.”

He denied rumors that Iran directed the battle, stressing that “Hezbollah managed the operation through its own leadership and the Shura Council, with direct oversight from the fighters and female fighters.”

The party quickly regained its stability after the two Sayyeds' martyrdom, he stated, explaining, “We filled the various positions, and the management was effective thanks to all the brothers, even though we went through ten difficult days from September 27 to October 7 before things became organized and the leadership stabilized.”

Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed that “communication, management, and decision-making between the Secretary-General and the military leadership were maintained throughout the People of Might battle,” adding, “During the war, there was a command system that combined political and military control simultaneously.”

Targeting Netanyahu's residence intentional: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed that the targeting of the home of the Israeli occupation’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was deliberate, aimed specifically at the house and even the bedroom, emphasizing that the strike hit its intended target.

Sheikh Qassem provided details of the operation, explaining that one of the operatives had the layout of the house and knew the room arrangements, informing his superior and confirming his readiness to provide precise coordinates for the home. He added that the operative received authorization and carried out the strike successfully.

He stressed that operations of this kind are not isolated, noting that “the trainers among the brothers possess high levels of expertise, and this is evident in the fact that every target they intended to hit was successfully struck.”

The resistance was affected in initial strikes

In response to a question about why the number and type of rockets did not meet public expectations, the Secretary-General emphasized that the initial strikes "Israel" carried out on September 23, 2024, were “extremely impactful.”

He added that the overall operations at that time included 1,600 airstrikes, during which 550 martyrs were lost, and noted that targeting the leadership reduced the group's capabilities and readiness.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General explained that when the resistance began overseeing the battle, it operated with less capacity than initially, relying on carefully analyzed information to maximize impact and results.

Sheikh Naim Qassem also revealed that they considered that acting with excessive force could provoke an even harsher enemy response and result in a heavy price, which is why they maintained precision and caution in their operations.

A switch in tactics

Sheikh Naim Qassem pointed out that between 2006 and 2023, the deterrence equation against the occupation emphasized demonstrating an excess of strength, a strategy he said “served the resistance and achieved its purpose at the time.”

He added, “If someone asks, ‘Why did you do that?’ the real question isn’t whether we did it or not, but whether it fulfilled its goal and brought benefit.”

Additionally, Sheikh Qassem explained that the resistance now follows a different approach that avoids overt displays of force, stating, “Today we have a different tactic and a different presentation. On the contrary, we do not show an excess of power, nor do we possess more than what is necessary. We operate normally, with sufficient strength, so why reveal more than we actually have?”

"Today, we are in a better position than we were before the 'People of Might' battle," Sheikh Naim Qassem said.

The support front decision was the right choice

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah emphasized that the decision to engage in the support war for Gaza was deliberate and well-timed, with its content carefully considered.

Sheikh Naim Qassem explained that the resistance decided because it was “unthinkable for the enemy to be on our borders carrying out a campaign of extermination against the resistance in Gaza and then turn to the rest of the region when it's done,” recalling Netanyahu’s statements about a “Greater Israel,” which he said “reflect this aggressive approach.”

He added that participating in the support operation aligned fully with the resistance’s beliefs and principles, noting that it was justified “politically, morally, and ethically, and based on our faith and convictions,” and affirmed that “if the situation were to arise again, we would act on the same foundations and principles.”

In this context, the Secretary-General argued that linking Sayyed Nasrallah’s martyrdom to the Gaza support battle is “a political attempt to distort the image of participation in the operation,” stressing that what took place “was entirely appropriate” and that Nasrallah “attained the highest rank he wished for, that of martyrdom.”

Sheikh Qassem also highlighted that the leader of the nation’s martyrs left behind a party and a nation capable of carrying forward the teachings he established in life with tremendous strength, calling this “an exceptional achievement,” and noting that “all the enemies had bet that what happened to Hezbollah could destroy it.”

Al-Ridwan Force as present as the resistance: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed that the Radwan Force, which forms an essential part of the resistance’s strength, “suffered what the resistance suffered in general, with losses and sacrifices, just like the other forces, capabilities, and supportive environment.”

He further explained, “The Radwan Force felt pain, experienced losses, and made sacrifices, but it remains and continues, just as the resistance remains and continues today," adding that these sacrifices demonstrate that the resistance still stands firm, and that the essence of its strength lies not only in weapons but also in faith and will, both of which remain robust and present.

Sheikh Qassem also noted that true recovery was evident in the resistance’s supporters, who showed their resilience through the massive turnout at the martyrdom funeral and in the large gathering of scouts, who he described as shaping the future.