In a televised address delivered on the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Commander Fouad Shokor (Sayyed Mohsen), Hezbollah's Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said that "Those who call for submitting arms practically demand submitting them to Israel ... We will not submit to Israel."

Sheikh Qassem further blamed the US-"Israel" collusion for escalation.

US envoy, Tom Barrack, was "surprised by a unified Lebanese national stance" from the three top Lebanese officials, demanding a halt to Israeli aggression before discussing anything else," the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, affirmed, detailing how "Barrack came along with intimidation and threats to annex Lebanon to Syria and expand the Israeli aggression."

Sheikh Qassem added that the president, prime minister, and parliament speaker "want to rebuild Lebanon, and thus cannot agree to surrender its source of strength," at a time when “the Americans seek to strip that strength for Israel’s benefit, falsely claiming they want to help.”

In a speech he delivered on the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Commander Fouad Shokor (Sayyed Mohsen), #Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem praised #GeorgesAbdallah’s release and reaffirmed Lebanon’s, and specifically the Resistance’s, stance against disarmament… pic.twitter.com/3ZRpnTMdXF

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 30, 2025

Hezbollah's disarmament serves 'Israel' only

He emphasized that the United States wants Hezbollah's disarmament "for Israel's benefit, not to maintain Lebanon's security," stressing that these arms are meant "to resist Israel and serve as Lebanon's source of strength." He also recalled that Hezbollah had previously expressed readiness "to discuss how these weapons could be integrated into a national defense strategy."

Sheikh Qassem cautioned that calls for disarming Hezbollah ultimately serve Israeli interests rather than Lebanon's sovereignty, affirming that the group would never comply with such demands, vowing to prevent Lebanon from becoming subservient to "Israel" regardless of international pressure. As long as Hezbollah exists, he asserted, Lebanon would never be allowed to fall under foreign domination or be held politically captive.

"We will not accept that Lebanon be annexed to Israel even if the whole world unites against us, and we will not accept that it be taken hostage as long as there is a single living soul among us," Hezbollah's chief asserted. 

The Secretary-General explained that the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon "contained gains for both the Lebanese and Israeli sides," questioning whether it protected Lebanon's security, at a time when it helped achieve security for the northern Israeli settlements.

In this context, he explained that all the ongoing targeting, attacks, assassinations, and strikes on buildings fall within the Israeli expansionist agenda, stressing that the occupation will not settle for the five occupied border points and is awaiting the disarmament of the Resistance to further expand and establish settlements.

Hezbollah's arms serve as Lebanon's strength

Hezbollah's Secretary-General affirmed that the Resistance "has provided the [Lebanese] state with everything that could strengthen it," clarifying that its weapons exist "to fortify the state, not weaken it." He put disarmament into question, asking, "Does the state have the right to say it cannot defend its people, then demand we hand over our weapons only for them to be destroyed by Israel?"

“We assisted the state in implementing the agreement," he continued, telling those who link a ceasefire to disarmament that "the issue of weapons is purely an internal matter.” 

Sheikh Qassem stressed that weapons are "not more important than reconstruction or ending the aggression," addressing those calling for Hezbollah's disarmament by saying, “You stop the aggression, ground the warplanes, return the captives, and let Israel withdraw from the territories it has occupied, then, let’s see if the situation stabilizes, and after that, you’ll get the best possible dialogue and the most constructive response from us.”

Furthermore, he emphasized that the Lebanese state must fulfill its responsibility to lead reconstruction efforts, even if the United States attempts to block progress and pressure Arab nations to this end. He asserted that Lebanon should explore every possible means to fund rebuilding, including reallocating its budget, since reconstruction ultimately stimulates economic recovery and proves financially beneficial in the long run.

Hezbollah's chief called on the Lebanese government to demonstrate stronger resolve in both halting Israeli aggression and advancing reconstruction efforts. Addressing his fellow Lebanese, he urged national unity, proposing they adopt the unifying motto of: "Let us drive Israel out through our solidarity and rebuild our homeland together hand in hand."

Lebanon facing an existential threat

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah reiterated his warning that the entire Lebanese people face an existential threat from "Israel", ISIS, and the United States, all operating under the banner of the so-called "New Middle East."

Sheikh Qassem further explained that the Resistance movement originally emerged to compensate for the army's limitations, serving as a crucial support to create an effective, substantive trinity of "the army, the people, and the Resistance," not nominally but on the ground. He emphasized that history has proven the Resistance to be a fundamental pillar in the state-building process.

Hezbollah operates along two tracks: Sovereignty and liberation

In addition, he clarified that Hezbollah operates along two parallel tracks: liberating occupied territories while simultaneously building state institutions through true popular representation, ensuring that both national sovereignty and citizen empowerment develop together without prioritizing one track over the other.

Sheikh Qassem reaffirmed that the Resistance remains fully active across all fronts: political, social, and military, demonstrating its enduring strength. This persistent capability, he noted, is precisely why "Israel" continues to violate ceasefire agreements, as it proves the failure of the occupation in subduing Hezbollah.

Lebanon stands at a crossroads, according to Hezbollah's leader, with two stark alternatives: a path toward true sovereignty, independence, and liberation, or continued foreign domination through occupation and subjugation. Hezbollah's position remains unambiguous, as Sheikh Qassem declared, "Between these two choices, we stand with sovereignty, independence, and liberation."

World must face 'Israel' for Gaza

Sheikh Naim Qassem addressed the topic of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, firmly asserting that "Israel and the United States are committing systematic atrocities daily in the enclave."

He emphasized that the world must take a united stance in the face of "Israel" to put an end to the Israeli occupation's tyranny, as it affects all of humanity.

Martyr Fouad Shokor: A pioneer, leader, and founder

Speaking on the first anniversary of Sayyed Mohsen's martyrdom, Hezbollah's Secretary-General highlighted how martyred commander Fouad Shokor led a pioneering cell of ten Resistance fighters in the early days of the movement. This group, which called itself the "Covenant Unit" before 1982, made a solemn pact to confront Israeli forces and consistently position themselves on the frontlines of defense.

Sheikh Qassem noted that martyr Shokor was part of the founding generation and served as the Resistance's first military commander, while simultaneously maintaining strong grassroots connections and demonstrating exceptional strategic thinking.

Fouad Shokor, a senior military commander and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's close confidant was targeted by "Israel" in the Southern Suburb of #Beirut, #Lebanon, on Tuesday evening.

Here's everything you need to know about him. pic.twitter.com/9kM0IscQr7

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 31, 2024

The Secretary-General continued by honoring the late commander's multifaceted legacy, as a founder of the movement's naval unit, actively involved in overseeing the martyrdom operations file, and effectively served as chief of staff during critical support battles, all while maintaining constant strategic coordination with the late Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, until his martyrdom.

During the commemoration, Hezbollah's leader also honored the legacy of martyr Ismail Haniyeh on the first anniversary of his martyrdom, praising how he successfully elevated the Palestinian cause to become what he described as the world's foremost humanitarian and political issue.

The speech also paid tribute to liberated fighter Georges Abdallah, honoring his unwavering 41-year imprisonment where he steadfastly refused to renounce his ideals for early release. The leader emphasized how Abdallah stands as an inseparable part of the resistance's diverse legacy, a movement unified by its dual commitment to territorial liberation and human dignity preservation.

Read More: Hezbollah announces martyrdom of Cmdr Fouad Shokor (Sayyed Mohsen)