Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on Monday that Lebanon has preserved its independence through resistance and possesses “real capabilities,” arguing that the country’s central challenge remains what he described as ongoing Israeli and American aggression.
Speaking during a public address, Qassem said that sustained Israeli attacks have not weakened the resistance but instead reinforced commitment to it, describing the current period as a decisive moment for Lebanon’s future.
“Everything Israel does in terms of killing and destruction leads to greater adherence to the choice of resistance,” Qassem said, adding that the continued aggression aims to end the resistance and thereby neutralize Lebanon’s strength. an objective he said has failed despite more than 15 months of pressure.
“This phase is the phase that draws the future,” Qassem said. “Through cooperation between the people, the army, the government, and the resistance, we can draw it together.”
Alliance with Amal and ties with state leadership
Addressing relations with the Amal Movement, Qassem dismissed speculation of tensions between the two allies, describing their partnership as deeply rooted and ongoing.
“They tried to create a dispute between Hezbollah and Amal, but the alliance between the two is entrenched,” he said, noting that a recent meeting between senior leaders from both sides was part of regular coordination. “It was a routine meeting in which various issues were discussed. Hezbollah and Amal are one body.”
Qassem also spoke about relations with Lebanon’s political leadership, warning against attempts to exploit differences with the presidency.
“Let no one play between us and the President of the Republic,” he said, adding that significant pressure was being exerted on the president to create divisions among Lebanese.
“Despite differences on some issues, we agree on the main national headings,” he said, extending the same message to the prime minister and government, and stressing that disagreement should not be turned into internal conflict.
Rejection of internal divisions
Qassem said that alongside military operations, there have been repeated attempts to exploit internal differences in Lebanon, including efforts to drive a wedge between the Lebanese Army and the resistance.
“There were attempts to create a rift between the army and the resistance, but this scheme failed,” he said.
He also said pressure was exerted through delaying or obstructing reconstruction in an attempt to weaken the relationship between Hezbollah and its support base, adding that such efforts had not succeeded.
“They tried to create a rift between the resistance and its people by preventing reconstruction, but that also did not succeed,” he said.
Condemnation of Israeli incursions
Qassem condemned recent Israeli actions in southern Lebanon, including the incursion of Israeli ground forces into the town of Habbariyeh and the abduction of a senior official from the Islamic Group.
“The entry of Israeli foot soldiers into Habbariyeh to kidnap a leader from the Islamic Group represents a violation of Lebanon’s security and sovereignty,” he said.
Hezbollah condemns Israeli raids, urges Lebanese state to act
In a strongly worded statement issued separately on Monday, Hezbollah condemned what it described as a “dangerous escalation” by Israel in southern Lebanon.
The group cited Israel’s incursion into Habbariyeh in the Hasbaya district, the abduction of Islamic Group official Atwi Atwi from his home, and what it said were assaults on him and his family.
Hezbollah also denounced the targeting of a vehicle in the town of Yanouh, which killed three people, including a child, as well as the killing of another civilian in Aita al-Shaab, saying the incidents reflected Israel’s “ongoing practices of killing, assault, and kidnapping” and its disregard for Lebanese sovereignty.
The statement warned that the developments signal “a new phase of Israeli lawlessness,” marked by ground incursions and abductions that expose residents of southern Lebanon to “direct and permanent danger,” accusing Israel of violating international laws and norms.
Referring to a recent visit by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to the south, Hezbollah called on the Lebanese state to fully assume its national responsibilities, urging it to move beyond what it described as silence and inaction.
The group called for immediate political, diplomatic and legal measures to protect civilians and deter further Israeli attacks, saying verbal condemnations alone have failed to curb Israeli violations.
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