Let no one think they can subjugate Hezbollah: Sheikh Qassem
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Hezbollah’s Sheikh Naim Qassem affirms his group's full implementation of the ceasefire and warns of limits to patience as “Israel” continues attacks on Lebanon.
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Hezbollah's leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Tuesday, July 2, 2024 (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
The ceasefire agreement that ended the war on Lebanon marked a new phase, which is the phase of "state responsibility", Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem affirmed on Saturday.
In a speech he delivered, Sheikh Qassem asserted that Hezbollah has “fully implemented" the agreement, adding, "The Israelis cannot find a single flaw, nor the Americans, nor anyone from inside [Lebanon] can find a flaw.”
He added, noting, “There are now those calling for the handover of weapons.”
Responding to calls for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons, the Lebanese leader asked, “Is there anyone who has a mind and thinks properly who would eliminate his own sources of strength while the Israeli does not implement the agreement and continues its aggressions?”
Read more: US pressuring Lebanon over Resistance disarming timeline: Fayyad
Israeli violations are now state’s responsibility, Sheikh Qassem says
In this context, Sheikh Qassem affirmed that the ongoing aggression and violations are now under the responsibility of the Lebanese state.
He rejected the latest Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory, including the strike on Nabatieh, the targeting of those working in the money exchange sector, and any assault on civilians in the South, stressing the need for the Lebanese state "to apply pressure and carry out all of its duties.”
Addressing the public, he said, “You must understand that this cannot continue,” asking, “Do you imagine we will remain silent for eternity?”
“All of this has limits,” the Hezbollah chief underscored, emphasizing that "no one is giving Israel pretexts" to carry out strikes.
Sheikh Qassem recalled that “Israel itself occupied 600 km² of Syria, and there were no pretexts. It destroyed all capabilities, and there were no pretexts. It attacked Iran—and there were no pretexts.”
He explained that “whenever there is a weak party, that means Israel will expand and take everything.”
“But that,” the Hezbollah head said, “will not happen with us.”
Read more: Hezbollah sees 'promising scope' for dialogue with President Aoun
Hezbollah chooses confrontation with dignity
Sheikh Qassem underlined that Hezbollah "is capable of confronting the Israelis," adding, "When we are given a choice, we have only one option. When the option before us is dignity, it means we choose confrontation.”
“Let no one joke with us or play games with us, and let no one think they can subjugate us,” the Hezbollah Secretary-General warned.
Gaza support front was a moral and political duty
Reflecting on Hezbollah’s involvement since the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Sheikh Qassem reiterated that their support for Gaza was both “a moral and political duty” in the face of a shared enemy.
He explained, “What happened is that the enemy found September 2024 to be an opportune time to initiate a war on Lebanon."
"They began by assassinating the leaders of the resistance and its youth through pager explosions, and also by striking the resistance’s capabilities,” he added.
The Lebanese leader said that the enemy’s goal was “to undermine the leadership and control systems, to target thousands of Resistance fighters and capabilities, and thereby to hit and finish Hezbollah.”
Sacrifices fuel resistance and strengthen morale
Emphasizing the resilience of his movement, Sheikh Qassem affirmed, “The sacrifices of the martyrs have given momentum," and the contributions of the wounded "have spurred greater responsibility, while the contributions of the people have become a symbol of morale and steadfastness.”
The Hezbollah chief further explained that “the master of the Ummah's martyrs, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has been building capabilities with his brethren for decades—so much so that the magnitude of our sacrifices does not hinder our persistence despite everything that has occurred.”
He continued, “That is why Hezbollah’s Shura Council has promptly filled every position, the youth have stood firm in the battle of the brave, and we have remained steadfast, delivering painful blows to the enemy.”
He continued, “Through the funeral processions for Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine, and through the municipal elections, it has become clear that our popular base is united with our allies, especially the Amal Movement."
"All these are signs of continuity and victory,” Sheikh Qassem indicated.
