Hezbollah terror leader Naim Qassem spoke out last night, asserting that his group is still strong and operational, despite suffering significant losses in its conflict with Israel. He claimed that Hezbollah has opted to remain more passive for now, allowing Lebanon’s armed forces to take the lead in confronting Israel.
In his first appearance since assuming leadership after the death of Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel, Qassem told the Hezbollah-affiliated station al-Manar, “The resistance is fine and continuing, but it has been wounded and has made sacrifices. Does anyone expect the resistance to continue without sacrifices? Great sacrifices, yes, but we realize that these sacrifices must be made.”
Hezbollah’s goal, according to Qassem, remains steadfast: to resist Israel’s expansionist policies and protect the region, not just Palestine. “We are committed to resistance to liberate the land and confront expansionist Israel that wants to usurp the region, not just Palestine,” he declared.
He also rejected any suggestions that Hezbollah should disarm following comments by Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun, who stated that the Lebanese state must control “the decisions of war and peace” and must “monopolize or restrict weapons to the state.”
Qassem responded to these remarks, saying, “We have nothing to do with this matter. We are a resistance that considers Israel a threat to Lebanon, and there is no objection to the army and the state defending Lebanon. The resistance has the right to continue to protect Lebanon. Therefore, we do not consider the president’s words about the exclusivity of weapons to be directed at us.”
He also expressed admiration for the Lebanese people who have made sacrifices in the fight against Israel. “The resistance is not a phase, but rather it is ongoing, and it is an idea that is adopted by the young and old, women and men,” Qassem said. “We feel proud when we hear the stances of these people… There is a woman who says: ‘I have offered three martyrs, two of my sons-in-law, and two of my grandchildren, and the rest I am ready to offer, and I am ready to offer myself.’”
He continued, “Or the one who says: ‘I have offered my only son and I am ready to offer more.’ This is a great example. Who can defeat these people?”
{Matzav.com Israel}
