Hezbollah Chief Qassem Vows No Surrender Amid Israel Threats

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group's unwavering commitment to armed resistance and rejected any normalization with Israel during a televised Ashoura address. He insisted Hezbollah would not disarm or surrender its weapons until Israel fully complies with the ceasefire terms, including withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territories, ceasing military aggression, and allowing reconstruction in affected areas. Qassem emphasized that only after these conditions are met would Hezbollah consider participating in national security discussions, rejecting international and Lebanese government pressures to disarm. Despite a ceasefire agreement in November 2023, intermittent Israeli strikes and troop deployments persist along Lebanon’s southern border, fueling ongoing tensions. US envoy Tom Barrack’s forthcoming visit to Beirut aims to advance proposals for Hezbollah’s disarmament, but Qassem’s speech made clear the group’s readiness to continue confrontation if necessary. Hezbollah’s position reflects its prioritization of Lebanese sovereignty and resistance against what it terms Israeli occupation, underscoring the fragile stability in the region.