Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem addressed on Friday the Lebanese people with profound gratitude and reflection on their endurance during the recent war with the Israeli occupation entity, which he had previously dubbed Operation People of Might.

In a televised speech two days after the ceasefire between Lebanon and "Israel" took effect, Sheikh Qassem praised the Lebanese people's patience and sacrifices, emphasizing how they stood firm as their sons fought on the battlefield, leaving no effort spared in confronting the enemy.

"I wanted to give a speech on the first day after the ceasefire at first, but after seeing droves of people [returning home] I instead opted to listen to what they had to say and express their sentiment myself," he said.

"You showed patience and struggled, and were displaced as your sons fought, and spared no effort in facing the enemy," he addressed the people.

Resistance fighters' 'legendary, sacrificial steadfastness marveled the world'

Sheikh Qassem reiterated that Hezbollah had no desire for war but was fully prepared to respond if "Israel" initiated hostilities.

"When we launched the support front, we reiterated that we were not looking for war, but were ready for it if the Israeli enemy was after it."

He stated that "Israel" sought the war to "eliminate Hezbollah, return northern settlers, and work on achieving a New Middle East."

However, Hezbollah "stood resilient on the front and struck the enemy's internal front," the Lebanese leader affirmed.

Highlighting the Israeli failure, Sheikh Qassem noted how the initial displacement of 70,000 Israeli settlers quickly escalated to include hundreds of thousands.

He underscored that Hezbollah's readiness and the strategic plans devised by martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah effectively countered the Israeli occupation’s aggression, accounting for all developments in the war.

The Israeli occupation, Sheikh Qassem explained, had placed its bets on internal discord within Lebanon, particularly between displaced persons and their hosts, stressing that this strategy failed due to the unity and cooperation among Lebanon’s diverse sects and political powers.

The Resistance fighters' "legendary, sacrificial steadfastness marvelled the world and struck terror in the hearts of the Israeli Army, demoralizing them," the Hezbollah chief indicated.

'Our enemies are defeated'

"The victory of People of Might far exceeded that of July 2006," Sheikh Qassem confirmed, declaring, "We emerged victorious because we prevented the enemy from destroying Hezbollah, prevented it from destroying the Resistance, and defeated it because it itself was forced to justify the ceasefire [to its own people]."

The Hezbollah Secretary-General said that "our enemies are defeated and their statements reveal this," pointing out that "one image of the enemy's defeat was that of our people's return to their homes while the settlers remain displaced."

He explained that a key aspect of the ceasefire agreement was "Israel’s" withdrawal from positions south of the Litani River.

He also assured that coordination between the Resistance and the Lebanese Army would reach its highest levels, warning that "no one should wager on discord between us."

Thanking those who stood by the Resistance

The ceasefire agreement, Sheikh Qassem said, "took place under the banner of Lebanese sovereignty and we agreed to it," underlining that the Resistance "remains strong on the battlefield and our heads are held high."

"We thank God for this victory, and take pride in the men of the Resistance who fought on the battlefield, humiliating the enemy and confronting it in a legendary battle."

He paid a special tribute to the martyrs, including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, and others, whose sacrifices paved the way for added strength and pride. He also acknowledged the martyrs of the Lebanese Army, first responders, Civil Defense, and all those who worked tirelessly during the war.

Sheikh Qassem extended thanks to Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati for their political negotiations, as well as to the Amal Movement, "with whom we share the same soul split into two bodies."

He expressed deep gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq—their leaderships, governments, and people—for their steadfast support for the Resistance.

Reaffirming Hezbollah’s unwavering commitment to Palestine, Sheikh Qassem vowed that support would continue through alternative means.

Looking ahead, the Hezbollah Secreatary-General outlined plans for reconstruction and rehousing efforts, a sizeable task to be undertaken with the Lebanese people.

Elsewhere, Sheikh Qassem called for continued dialogue with all political powers committed to building Lebanon in line with the Taef Agreement.

Read more: The strategic and tactical gains of Operation People of Might