AiBotIn a statement that has sent ripples throughout the Middle East, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, has condemned the ongoing Israeli-American aggression against Lebanon, emphasizing the need for national unity and resistance in the face of occupation. The statement comes at a critical juncture in the region, with the Israeli military continuing to impose its will on the country through airstrikes and incursions.
Sheikh Qassem painted a grim picture of the situation, highlighting the involvement of the American government in supporting Israeli aggression. “The criminal ‘Israeli’ enemy is ganging up on us, with the support and management of the oppressive American tyrant,” he stated. “They are backed by nations of injustice, colonialism, and the defeated who are panting after the crumbs of this world, tainted with the blood of genocide and the killing of childhood and life.”
Despite the formidable might of the enemy, Sheikh Qassem urged the resistance, its people, and its supporters to remain steadfast in the face of ongoing aggression. “The resistance, its people, and its supporters must stand, despite the scarcity of numbers and equipment, in the face of the might of human monsters,” he emphasized. “We offer martyrs in the most beautiful and greatest manner, to prevent the enemy from achieving its goals, and to persevere and continue… is the steadfastness that leads to forging the future of our country, our generations, and our region with our allies.”
Sheikh Qassem also took aim at the so-called “ceasefire” agreements that have been imposed on Lebanon, arguing that these were merely a ruse to give the Israeli military a green light to continue its occupation. “There is no ceasefire in Lebanon, but rather a continuous ‘Israeli-American’ aggression,” he declared. “We are patient and we are resisting, and Allah the Almighty is with us.”
One of the key issues at play in the current crisis is the implementation of the November 27, 2024 agreement, which was meant to provide a framework for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. However, Sheikh Qassem accused the Israeli military of flagrantly breaching the terms of the agreement, killing 500 civilians, wounding hundreds, and destroying thousands of homes and lives.
In a statement that has been widely reported, Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the Lebanese army’s deployment south of the Litani River was a key factor in the ongoing resistance. However, he also highlighted the effectiveness of the resistance’s tactics, which have allowed it to maintain a strong presence on the ground despite the scarcity of numbers and equipment.
As the crisis continues to unfold, Sheikh Qassem urged the Lebanese government to prioritize national unity and sovereignty, emphasizing the need for the army to be properly armed and equipped to defend the country against external threats. In a direct appeal to the Lebanese people, he called on them to support the resistance and to remain united in the face of occupation.
“We do not call on you to adopt its convictions, but we call on you not to serve the trench of the enemies in this sensitive phase,” Sheikh Qassem emphasized. “As for the authority, its duty is to care for national unity, achieve sovereignty, order the army to defend the country, provide protection for all citizens, and address economic and social problems… let it highlight its achievements to the citizens, what it has applied of the Taif Agreement without selectivity or misguided interpretation, and that it is committed to the constitution and coexistence so that its representation is correct and its performance is acceptable.”
In a final flourish, Sheikh Qassem underscored the importance of the resistance’s commitment to reclaiming and liberating Lebanese territory, regardless of the cost. With its faith and its exclusive choice to reclaim its land, the resistance will inevitably succeed in confronting the enemy, he declared. The people of Lebanon must stand together, united in their resolve to defend their country and their way of life.