Resistance arms not up for negotiation, Sheikh Qassem says
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Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem rejects disarmament, slams Israeli ceasefire violations, and affirms resistance as a strategic defense against regional threats.
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Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem during a televised speech on June 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem firmly rejected any suggestion that the Resistance would surrender its weapons to the Israeli occupation, emphasizing that Lebanon’s defense and sovereignty are internal matters beyond external influence or pressure.
“We will not be dragged into humiliation. We will not give up our land. We will not accept any threat that demands we compromise,” Sheikh Qassem declared.
He stressed that the issue of arms and resistance was strictly a domestic Lebanese affair, saying, “Discussions about weapons or other matters are internal issues that we address within our own framework. Israel has no role in overseeing or dictating the terms of any agreement, nor in monitoring its components.”
'Israel' violated ceasefire over 3,700 times
Sheikh Qassem also condemned the Israeli regime for breaching the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, stating that the occupation has committed over 3,700 violations since the agreement took effect. He called on the Israeli occupation to adhere to the terms it agreed upon with the Lebanese state and to cease its acts of aggression.
He reiterated that Hezbollah’s confrontation with the occupying entity was not only about resisting occupation, but about confronting a strategic threat to the entire region, naming Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and others as affected nations.
'Israel' a threat to all, not just Muslims
Describing the Israeli occupation as a broader existential threat, Sheikh Qassem stated, “The threat of Israel is not only limited to Muslims, it is a real danger to Christians and Jews as well.” He said the regime's ideology, behavior, and vision were a danger to regional stability and global peace.
Addressing critics who refrain from resisting the Israeli occupation, Sheikh Qassem said, “Others may choose not to confront the occupation; that’s their choice. But Hezbollah’s resistance is rooted in human, Islamic, and national values, and driven by a responsibility to future generations.”
He called on those who do not share Hezbollah’s Islamic outlook to resist the Israeli occupation on humanitarian grounds, warning that coexisting with what he termed an "expanding and invasive danger" is ultimately impossible.
Israeli violations are now state’s responsibility, Sheikh Qassem says
Sheikh Qassem affirmed in late June 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.”
