Beirut: Hezbollah’s deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem has issued a firm warning to Israel, asserting that any renewed Israeli aggression will be met with strong retaliation, including missile strikes deep into Israeli territory. His statement comes amid renewed international pressure—primarily from the United States—on Lebanon to force Hezbollah to disarm, a demand that the resistance group has resolutely rejected.
Speaking in a televised address, Qassem stated, “If Israel expands its military operations, this defense will lead to missiles falling inside Israel.” His remarks coincided with a Lebanese Cabinet meeting deliberating the future of Hezbollah’s arms following the conclusion of the 14-month-long war with Israel.
The devastating conflict, which erupted after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, claimed more than 4,000 lives and caused an estimated $11 billion in damages. Despite suffering significant losses in leadership and logistics, Hezbollah emerged from the war with its core ideology and resistance capacity intact, remaining a potent symbol of defiance against Israeli aggression.
Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November, Hezbollah has scaled back its military presence near the southern border, withdrawing fighters and weapons north of the Litani River. However, the group insists it will not consider disarmament until Israel vacates five occupied strategic hills in southern Lebanon and ceases its near-daily airstrikes that continue to kill and injure Lebanese citizens—mostly Hezbollah fighters defending their homeland.
The Israeli military claims the disputed positions are vital for security, yet they overlook Lebanese territory and have displaced over 60,000 residents during the war. Hezbollah sees Israel’s presence in these areas as a direct threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty.
The ceasefire terms remain ambiguous regarding Hezbollah’s weaponry north of the Litani River. While Tel Aviv and Washington demand full disarmament, Hezbollah maintains that the agreement applies only to the southern front. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s recent public call for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons has added fuel to the political tensions, drawing swift rebuke from the party’s leadership.
Qassem firmly stated that Hezbollah would not allow any disarmament to pass in Parliament without unanimous national consensus. “No one can deprive Lebanon of its strength to protect its sovereignty,” he emphasized.
Hezbollah has long held that its armed resistance is not only a right but a necessity to deter Israeli aggression and protect Lebanon’s dignity, land, and people. The movement remains deeply rooted in Lebanese society, especially among marginalized and oppressed communities that see in Hezbollah not just a military force but a shield against foreign occupation.
The group’s commitment to resisting occupation continues to resonate with many across the Arab and Muslim world, where its stance is seen as a symbol of courage and unwavering resolve in the face of decades-long Israeli injustice and Western double standards.
