Sheikh Naim Qassem, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, delivered a televised address today, warning against what he described as foreign intervention and internal collaboration that threaten Lebanon’s stability. 

Hezbollah has fully adhered to the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, asserted Sheikh Qassem, stressing that "no violation has been recorded on our part" toward the enemy or in terms of its cooperation with the Lebanese state and maintaining that "Israel" has so far violated the agreement and breached it thousands of times.

Speaking at an event commemorating 40 days since the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohammad Saeed Izadi (Hajj Ramadan), Sheikh Qassem revealed that "Israel" "regretted signing the agreement" once it became clear that the deal allowed Hezbollah to preserve military might in Lebanon, adding, "That is why Israel does not abide by the agreement."

Barrack's drafts worsened with every iteration

Hezbollah's chief emphasized that the US brought along demands designed to weaken Lebanon, the Resistance movement, and the Lebanese people as a whole, as they solely benefit "Israel's" interests.

He also discussed the contents of US Envoy Tom Barrack's third memorandum, which he described as "worse" than the previous two versions. Sheikh Naim Qassem pointed out that one of its key demands requires Hezbollah to dismantle half of its military infrastructure within a month, with the agreement only then requiring "Israel" to withdraw from only three strategic locations out of the five it is currently occupying.

The Resistance leader explained that the essence of the American memorandum boils down to "Israel" having a free hand in Lebanon. At the same time, Lebanon concedes, pointing out that Washington wants "to strip Lebanon of its military capability represented by the Resistance and prevent the Lebanese army from obtaining weapons that could harm Israel."

He further stated that the US, along with several Arab countries, has exhausted Lebanon, emphasizing that complying with US dictates and disarmament will not stop the Israeli aggression. 

Yielding to external pressure erodes sovereignty

The Secretary-General reiterated Hezbollah's rejection of any new agreement, stating that the group opposes any new deals and instead insists on enforcing the agreement already agreed on and signed. He emphasized they would never accept any proposed timetable for disarmament while under the threat of Israeli aggression.

The Hezbollah chief warned against yielding to external pressure to disarm in exchange for state funding, questioning what value such financial support would hold if it reduced Lebanon to a puppet state. 

'Israel' risks its interests if it launches new aggression

Sheikh Naim Qassem emphasized that it is in "Israel's" interests not to launch a full-scale aggression, stating, "In that scenario, the Resistance, the army, and the people will defend [Lebanon], missiles will rain down on the [Israeli] entity, and all the security it built over eight months will collapse in just an  hour."

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Furthermore, he questioned the value of the ministerial statement if it fails to provide genuine sovereignty protection. He challenged the promises it entailed in terms of safeguarding Lebanon's sovereignty and deterring aggressors, asking where the state's actual defense capabilities were when it came to protecting borders and repelling threats.

If authorities admit they lack this capacity, he argued, then, to say the least, they should let Hezbollah preserve and strengthen its existing defensive capabilities.

Lebanese leadership should protect security, not strip it

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said the Lebanese state is responsible for resisting external pressures, urging it to "develop plans to protect security and sovereignty, not to strip its citizens of their capabilities and lose its points of strength."

He emphasized that "the Resistance is enshrined in the Taif Agreement as a constitutional principle, and constitutional matters cannot be decided by vote but require consensus," adding that this issue represents "a foundational and strategic commitment that must be addressed within the framework of national security and a defensive strategy."

Furthermore, the Secretary-General declared that no one can deny Lebanon its right to defend its sovereignty or prevent it from maintaining its strength. He emphasized the Resistance's unwavering determination to protect Lebanon's independence, describing it as a powerful movement committed to preserving the nation's sovereignty.

The Hezbollah leader stated they are coordinating their domestic stance through dialogue, warning that no resolution can be reached without internal consensus and cautioning against agitators and those serving Israeli interests while accusing them of being complicit in the bloodshed.

Consensus remains only solution for Lebanon

Hezbollah's Secretary-General asserted that solutions for Lebanon cannot be imposed unilaterally or dictated from abroad, emphasizing the Resistance's role as a fundamental pillar of the nation while calling for a complete reevaluation of how national approaches address sovereign and strategic matters.

He warned that no solution can be achieved without consensus, stressing this as a fundamental strategic matter and cautioning against prioritizing personal interests that align with "Israel's" agenda, as he held those responsible accountable for any harm done to Lebanon.

Moreover, Sheikh Qassem emphasized that Lebanon's stability depends on all its people, not one faction at the expense of another, framing the current struggle as an all-or-nothing battle where either all of Lebanon wins together or everyone loses, expressing firm belief in collective victory.

Hezbollah's support base resilient, fighters ready for sacrifice

Hezbollah's leader hailed the Resistance's support base as steadfast and united and asserted that the Resistance's fighters are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, contrasting those who liberated land through sacrifice, calling them the true patriots, with those who undermined the nation and destroyed its social fabric.

Sheikh Qassem stressed that "Israel" has failed to achieve its objectives and remains constrained, warning against surrendering to its ambitions through weakness. He affirmed the Resistance fighters’ unwavering alliance with Lebanon’s army and people, vowing they would remain steadfast on the battlefield until victory is achieved.

Current priorities must be focused on the ongoing aggression, not on the disarmament issues, he stressed, noting that Lebanon stands at a pivotal moment in its fight to preserve independence. The country now confronts three intertwined threats: foreign interference, US-backed regional pressures, and internal divisions, according to Sheikh Naim Qassem, who asserted that Lebanon remains strong with its Army, People, and Resistance trifecta.

Hezbollah's chief emphasized that Lebanon’s rebuilding and sustained stability depend on three key elements: broad participation and cooperation, setting priorities within a national unity framework, and not yielding to external guardianship, whatever its origin.

Hajj Ramadan, a legacy of devotion to al-Quds

Regarding the occasion, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah emphasized that the martyred commander Mohammad Saeed Izadi, known as Hajj Ramadan, had come from the farthest reaches of the earth to dedicate himself to the Palestinian people and their liberation. He praised Izadi’s freedom-fighting path and his pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian Resistance.

He further stated that Hajj Ramadan was instrumental in strengthening Gaza’s defensive capacities, leading the coordination of its defense strategy and the growth of its Resistance movement. His focus, Sheikh Qassem emphasized, was dedicated to expanding militant activities across Palestine.

Sheikh Qassem noted that the martyred commander had a clear vision, firmly believing that those who serve al-Quds will be honored and elevated, stressing that Hajj Ramadan was deeply committed to strengthening Palestinian national unity.

The Hezbollah Secretary-General further noted that "Hajj Ramadan came to Lebanon just two days after the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to place himself at the disposal of Hezbollah."