Qassem Warns of Existential Threat, Reasserts Hezbollah’s Role in Defending Lebanon
11/11/2025 5:10:00 PM
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed that the group will not give up its weapons, stressing its right to defend Lebanon amid what he described as a real existential threat.
Qassem said Israel did not withdraw from Lebanon through negotiations or politics but was forced to leave unconditionally because of the resistance.
He recalled that in the Battle of the Mighty the resistance made significant sacrifices, prevented Israel from achieving its objectives, and stood as a barrier against the Israeli invasion. He added that the ceasefire agreement provided for the withdrawal of the Israeli enemy from south of the Litani River and for the deployment of the Lebanese Army.
“The presence of the Lebanese Army in the south is to our benefit,” Qassem said, noting that “the resistance acted on behalf of the state for 42 years.”
Qassem argued that Israel lost because it failed to achieve its objectives during the aggression, and under the ceasefire agreement it must withdraw from southern Lebanon. He said the United States and Israel believe the agreement grants Lebanon gains and that if Israel withdraws, Lebanon would regain its sovereignty, which is why the government is being pressured to make political compromises.
Criticizing the government’s ministerial statement, Qassem said it contained nothing but calls to disarm the resistance. “Why doesn’t the government set a timeline to restore national sovereignty and instruct the security forces to enforce it?” he asked.
He also condemned remarks by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, saying Barrack publicly declared that he wants to arm the Lebanese Army so it can confront the resistance. “How did the government let that slide?” Qassem demanded.
Qassem stressed that the Israeli aggression cannot continue forever and that patience is running out. He affirmed that the ceasefire agreement applies exclusively to areas south of the Litani River and that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon and release the detainees, noting that there is no threat to the northern settlements.
Concluding, Qassem said, “We face a real existential threat; therefore we have the right to do whatever is necessary to protect our existence. We will not give up our weapons, which enable us to defend our land and our people.”
Qassem said Israel did not withdraw from Lebanon through negotiations or politics but was forced to leave unconditionally because of the resistance.
He recalled that in the Battle of the Mighty the resistance made significant sacrifices, prevented Israel from achieving its objectives, and stood as a barrier against the Israeli invasion. He added that the ceasefire agreement provided for the withdrawal of the Israeli enemy from south of the Litani River and for the deployment of the Lebanese Army.
“The presence of the Lebanese Army in the south is to our benefit,” Qassem said, noting that “the resistance acted on behalf of the state for 42 years.”
Qassem argued that Israel lost because it failed to achieve its objectives during the aggression, and under the ceasefire agreement it must withdraw from southern Lebanon. He said the United States and Israel believe the agreement grants Lebanon gains and that if Israel withdraws, Lebanon would regain its sovereignty, which is why the government is being pressured to make political compromises.
Criticizing the government’s ministerial statement, Qassem said it contained nothing but calls to disarm the resistance. “Why doesn’t the government set a timeline to restore national sovereignty and instruct the security forces to enforce it?” he asked.
He also condemned remarks by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, saying Barrack publicly declared that he wants to arm the Lebanese Army so it can confront the resistance. “How did the government let that slide?” Qassem demanded.
Qassem stressed that the Israeli aggression cannot continue forever and that patience is running out. He affirmed that the ceasefire agreement applies exclusively to areas south of the Litani River and that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon and release the detainees, noting that there is no threat to the northern settlements.
Concluding, Qassem said, “We face a real existential threat; therefore we have the right to do whatever is necessary to protect our existence. We will not give up our weapons, which enable us to defend our land and our people.”