Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, made it clear on Sunday that the group will not give up its weapons or surrender to Israeli threats. He addressed a large crowd of supporters during the Shiite Muslim Ashura ceremony held in Beirut’s southern suburbs—an area considered a Hezbollah stronghold.
We Will Not Surrender
“This threat will not make us accept surrender,” Qassem said in a televised speech. His remarks came amid increasing pressure on the Iran-backed Lebanese group to disarm.
Qassem, who took charge after longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike in September, said Hezbollah’s fighters will not lay down their arms unless Israel first stops its “aggression.”
Ongoing Tension Despite Ceasefire
After last year’s conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanese leaders promised to enforce a state monopoly on weapons and called for Israel to follow the terms of a ceasefire agreed upon in November.
The agreement required Hezbollah to move its fighters north of the Litani River—about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border—while Israel was to pull out completely from Lebanon. However, Israel still holds five strategic positions and continues airstrikes, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah sites.
US Envoy Awaits Lebanon’s Decision
US envoy Tom Barrack is scheduled to visit Beirut on Monday. Lebanese officials are expected to respond to his request to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. A Lebanese official, speaking anonymously, said authorities have already started removing Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the southern region near the Israeli border.
Hezbollah Demands Israel Fulfill Commitments First
Qassem said Hezbollah would only discuss Lebanon’s national security and defense plans after Israel meets its obligations. He listed several demands: “Israel must withdraw from occupied territories, stop its aggression, release prisoners from the last war, and allow Lebanon to begin rebuilding.”
Until then, Qassem said Hezbollah will not change its stance.
No Talks of Normalisation with Israel
He also rejected the idea of normalising ties with Israel. “We will not accept normalisation… with the Israeli enemy,” Qassem declared. His comments came after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel was open to such a possibility.
Lebanon, still technically at war with Israel, has not responded officially. Syria, which was also mentioned by Saar, said that any talk of normalisation is “premature.”
Supporters Show Loyalty
Before Qassem’s speech, thousands of Hezbollah supporters marched through the streets dressed in black for Ashura. They waved flags of Hezbollah, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iran. Some also held posters of the slain leader Hassan Nasrallah.