Countering Israeli Aggression Main Priority: Hezbollah
Speaking during a ceremony marking the 40th day of martyrdom of Major General Mohammad Saeed Izadi, Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the movement’s integral role in defending Lebanon against Israeli aggression.
Addressing demands by some Lebanese politicians for Hezbollah to disarm, Sheikh Qassem emphasized that resistance is a covenantal matter requiring national consensus, not unilateral decisions.
He said the resistance is a cornerstone of the 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended years of civil war.
Sheikh Qassem urged the Lebanese government to focus on confronting the Israeli regime's aggression rather than disarming the resistance, criticizing external pressures from the United States and certain Arab states.
“This is the priority, not disarming to appease the Israeli enemy. We are not concerned with disarmament simply because the United States or some Arab countries are exerting pressure to impose this option.”
He argued that the Lebanese government must address critical questions: how to counter Israeli aggression, protect national sovereignty, involve all societal components in defense, and expel the occupation.
Only after stopping aggression, rebuilding, and releasing prisoners, he said, should other issues be discussed.
Sheikh Qassem called for a national dialogue on a comprehensive security and defense strategy, dismissing imposed timelines for disarmament as misguided.
‘US proposal only serves Israel’
The Lebanese leader criticized recent US mediation efforts, particularly a memorandum from envoy Amos Barak, which he described as serving Israeli interests by demanding the dismantling of resistance weapons, including mortars and drones, within 45 days.
He called the terms “dictates” that strip Lebanon of its strength and leave it vulnerable.
“They are not only talking about heavy or medium weapons, but also hand grenades and mortars, simple weapons widespread among many clans and entities, and they demand all be surrendered. They even want the hand grenades removed.”
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Sheikh Qassem questioned Israel’s commitment to withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territories and warned of unenforceable consequences for Israeli violations.
“The United States is shirking any commitment to Lebanon. What the proposal demands is stripping Lebanon of its strength in exchange for an unguaranteed partial withdrawal, amid a clear imbalance of power.”
He cited a statement by Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said the Israeli army would not withdraw from five points in southern Lebanon and that the destroyed villages would not be rebuilt.
“Doesn’t this mean the occupation insists on keeping its hand over Lebanon?”
“If we give everything, will the aggression stop? No. On the contrary, if we have nothing left, the opportunity for aggression grows.”
Lebanon resilient
The Hezbollah leader underscored Lebanon’s resilience, noting that the country sacrificed 5,000 martyrs and 13,000 wounded in recent conflicts, including the Al-Aqsa Flood battle.
He credited the resistance, the army, and the people with preventing Israeli advances toward Beirut, affirming that “the resistance is strong, faithful, and determined to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
Sheikh Qassem also honored the late Hezbollah chief Sayed Hassan Nasrallah and General Saeid Izadi, the Iranian commander who served Palestine and Lebanon, noting his assassination in Qom as a testament to his impact.
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He called for national unity, quoting the Quran to urge steadfastness and patience:
“Know that this battle is either won by Lebanon, all of Lebanon, or lost by Lebanon, all of Lebanon. No group can win while another loses; we either win together or lose together. We are fully convinced we can win together.”
Source: Press TV
