Sheikh Qassem Vows to Uphold Path of Sayyed Nasrallah

Sheikh Naim Qassem, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, stated on Saturday that Lebanon is directly threatened by the Israeli occupation and warned that “with surrender there would no longer be a Lebanon.”

Speaking at a ceremony hosted by Hezbollah’s Women’s Action Unit, Sheikh Qassem claimed that requests to disarm the Resistance and “strip it of its strength” are “Israeli-American demands, not Lebanese ones,” and that doing so would nullify Lebanon’s authority.

The head of the Resistance emphasized that negotiations that compromise the terms of the November 27, 2024, Cessation of Hostilities Agreement are “of no value.”

“We view everything that ‘Israel’ is doing after the agreement as a continuation of aggression, which endangers Lebanon, not just [Hezbollah],” Sheikh Qassem said.

Hezbollah’s leader stated that the deterrence the group has achieved in recent years is “an exception,” emphasizing that the Resistance’s success is determined by its liberation of large areas of Lebanese territory.

According to Sheikh Qassem, the Lebanese state and the Lebanese Army are responsible for “deterring aggression,” but the Resistance’s responsibility is to support the state and aid in liberating efforts.

Hezbollah is prepared to negotiate a national defense strategy with authorities and pertinent parties, Sheikh Qassem emphasized, but he vehemently condemned “any framework of surrender to America and ‘Israel.'”

The leader of Hezbollah claimed that “Israel’s” assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the slain leader of the Islamic Resistance, and other leaders was intended to destroy both Hezbollah and the Resistance.

He emphasized that this Israeli strategy was foiled by the battle of “People of Might” and declared that the Israeli authority “will not achieve its objectives” in the event of a war on Lebanon.

“Let America know, we will defend [ourselves]; even if the sky were to close in upon the earth,” Sheikh Qassem said, speaking directly to the United States.

“Even if the whole world were to unite in its war against Lebanon,” the Resistance leader continued, “the Resistance will not relinquish its arms under the most cruel circumstances.”

Sheikh Qassem listed the Resistance’s four main accomplishments in his speech: freeing occupied territory, resolutely overcoming obstacles, discouraging the Israeli government from 2006 to 2023, and stopping the invasion and eviction of Lebanese territory.

Additionally, he cautioned that there is “no place for Muslims nor for Christians in Lebanon” under Israeli rule.

According to the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, the state is now in charge of strengthening Lebanese independence and sovereignty. He reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to upholding the ceasefire deal and its continued support for the government.

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the Lebanese government must not make any more compromises while highlighting American-Israeli intentions aimed at Lebanon.

Sheikh Qassem stated that US Ambassador Tom Barrack “aims to merge Lebanon with Syria,” which would marginalize minorities in Lebanon and force them to migrate.

“I am proud of [every] Resistance-engaged woman, the daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, and all the women who live in our society,”  Sheikh Qassem added.

“You are the banners of pride, morality, and patriotism,” he stressed, adding that women will pioneer the upbringing of “future generations.”

“Women must excel in all aspects, especially in raising families and supporting the resistance,” he stated.

“You are a partner in shaping the future of our homeland, Lebanon, and the future generations,” he highlighted.

“Today we gather on the covenant—the covenant of the resistance, of Hezbollah, and of His Eminence, the Master of the Martyrs of the Nation, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the architect of [path of Resistance], and the illuminator of all its various aspects, grounded in authentic Islamic principles,” he drew reference to the statement delivered by the Secretary-General, Resistance party members, and supporters on February 23, 2025, during the funeral procession of martyrs Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine.

He also commended Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, the martyr, calling him “a great figure” in the history of the Resistance.