The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, issued a series of political and escalatory statements, coinciding with the beginning of his speech that preceded the start of the negotiations, in which he stressed that Lebanon is facing widespread “Israeli-American aggression,” and insisted on continuing the option of confrontation.
Qasim began his speech by offering congratulations to Christians on the occasion of Easter, expressing his hope to “follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in love, social service, and good morals that serve mankind.”
He believed that “the aggression does not take into account any humanitarian or moral consideration,” noting that Lebanon’s steadfastness enabled it to reach the signing of an indirect agreement with Israel in November 2024, despite the limited available capabilities.
He stressed that “the agreement stipulated a complete cessation of aggression, the release of prisoners, and the start of reconstruction,” explaining that Lebanon “for 15 months tolerated Israel’s failure to adhere to any clause,” adding that “diplomacy did not achieve any progress despite the hundreds of martyrs and wounded and the continuation of the aggression with full American support.”
He stated that “the response came at the right time,” noting that he “thwarted a major aggressive plan that was prepared for Lebanon, and prevented widespread losses,” considering that this timing was appropriate to move to implementing the agreement.
He stressed that “Israel’s goals are clear, which is to destroy the elements of power in Lebanon in preparation for Greater Israel,” stressing that “all of Lebanon is targeted, because controlling the south means controlling the country, and the distribution of killing on Lebanese territory proves that the targeting is comprehensive.”
He added, “In the event of aggression, the Lebanese state is supposed to confront it and assign the army and security forces to confront it,” noting that “the state’s weakness can be understood, but it cannot be justified for it to turn into a tool in the hands of Israel through government decisions that put pressure on the interior and weaken it.”
He explained that “Israel, with American support, seeks to strengthen the army with the aim of disarming Hezbollah and confronting it, abolishing its institutions and ending the presence of the resistance and all those who support it,” stressing that “the push for the army to be facing its people is unacceptable.”
He drew attention to the fact that “Lebanon is existentially targeted, and its independence is threatened by the Greater Israel project,” stressing that “the decision to confront came in defense of Lebanon and its people, within the battle of the ‘Eating Storm’.”
He stressed that “what is happening is not a battle for the security of the north, but rather an aggression aimed at devouring Lebanon and annihilating its strength, its people and its resistance,” adding: “We are fighting under this title, and we are rightful and aggressed.”
He addressed the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, saying that “there is pressure to push the state to confront its people,” asking, “What have those who have been pressuring Lebanon since the formation of the government have done, other than trying to blow up the internal situation and give justifications to Israel?”
Qassem concluded his statements by emphasizing that “the confrontation must be united in the face of aggression, with an understanding being reached later on the future of the country,” stressing that “the resistance’s decision is not to calm down or surrender, and that it is the field that speaks.”
