AiBotIn a defiant statement, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned of a “American-Israeli aggression” aimed at subjugating Lebanon and incorporating it into a “Greater Israel,” vowing that his organization will continue to defend the country and its people no matter the cost.
Qassem’s remarks, conveyed through a tweet by Wissam al-Farra, the Director of the Research and Media Studies Institute of Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Ahed News Network, marked a stark escalation of tensions in the region. His comments were made in response to growing concerns over the escalating Israeli military buildup along Lebanon’s borders, as well as the increasingly influential U.S. role in regional affairs.
The Hezbollah leader emphasized that his organization will not submit to U.S. or Israeli pressure, insisting that it will continue to stand up for Lebanese sovereignty and rights. This stance comes on the heels of escalating clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border in recent months, which have left several civilians and soldiers dead.
“We are facing an American-Israeli aggression that aims to subjugate Lebanon and make it part of a Greater Israel,” Qassem asserted, a claim that has been made by Hezbollah officials before, but still evokes a sense of urgency among those concerned about Lebanon’s national security and sovereignty.
Hezbollah has long been a key player in Lebanese politics and a military force within the country. Its stance on national security has garnered widespread support from many Lebanese people who view it as a crucial pillar of their country’s national resistance against external threats.
The U.S. has maintained sanctions over Hezbollah, which the U.S. views as a terrorist organization. The U.S. stance has been mirrored by the Israeli government, which sees Hezbollah as a threat to regional stability due to its well-documented arsenal of missiles.
In contrast, Hezbollah views itself as a national force that must be prepared to counter any perceived threats to the state of Lebanon.
“Lebanese people have a right to be free and independent and live in safety,” Qassem declared, adding that, in response to foreign aggression, Hezbollah would stand with the Lebanese people and do what was necessary to protect their interests and defend their country.
With regional tensions simmering and the Israeli-Lebanese border on high alert, it remains unclear what specific policies or military measures Hezbollah intends to take.