The deputy leader of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, declared that the group will not disarm while Israeli forces remain inside Lebanese territory and Israeli warplanes continue to violate Lebanese airspace, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in late November.
Speaking to supporters in a televised speech on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar channel, Qassem said, “We will not allow anyone to remove Hezbollah’s weapons. These weapons gave life and freedom to our people,” Caliber.Az reports via Arab media.
Qassem assumed leadership of Hezbollah following the deaths of former leader Hassan Nasrallah, his designated successor Hashem Safieddine, and other senior officials in Israeli airstrikes last year. His remarks come amid renewed tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border, where sporadic violence has continued despite the ceasefire.
Under the terms of the US-brokered truce, Hezbollah agreed to withdraw from south of the Litani River and disband its military infrastructure in that zone. In turn, Israeli forces were expected to retreat fully from southern Lebanon, ceding control to the Lebanese Armed Forces and UN peacekeepers.
However, Israeli forces have maintained at least five positions inside Lebanon, in violation of the agreement, and have continued to carry out airstrikes that have claimed the lives of civilians and Hezbollah members alike.
“Does anyone expect us to discuss a national defence strategy as warplanes fly over our heads and there is occupation in south Lebanon?” Qassem asked. “These are not discussions. This is surrender. Let Israel withdraw first and stop its flights in the air.”
Since the ceasefire, Israeli air raids have killed at least 71 civilians in Lebanon—including 14 women and nine children—according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The World Bank estimates that Israel's 14-month military campaign in Lebanon has killed more than 4,000 people and caused $11 billion in damage.
Hezbollah initially joined the conflict shortly after Israel began its war in Gaza in October 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians and a strategic objective to divert Israeli forces from Gaza.
On April 18, just hours before Qassem’s speech, Israeli drone strikes killed two Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military confirmed targeting Hezbollah operatives.
By Vafa Guliyeva
Source: caliber.az
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