Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem delivered a strong message on Monday, asserting Lebanon’s right to confront Israeli occupation through resistance.

In a televised address, Sheikh Qassem declared that the ongoing occupation represents an affront to Lebanese sovereignty and that the resistance retains the authority to determine the methods and timing of its response.

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that combating the occupation is a shared responsibility among the Lebanese people, army, state institutions, resistance forces, and political groups. He criticized international powers, including the United Nations, the United States, and France, for delaying Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territories.

“Israel must withdraw within the agreed 60 days. No excuse for an extension will be accepted,” Sheikh Qassem stated, reaffirming the resistance’s unwavering resolve to ensure Israeli forces leave Lebanon entirely.

Sheikh Qassem praised the “army-people-resistance” triad, which he credited for preventing Israel from advancing beyond Beirut and the Litani River. He highlighted the steadfastness of the Lebanese people and their solidarity with the resistance, particularly in frontline villages, during Israel’s military incursions.

“The triumphant return of displaced individuals to the South, Dahiya, and Bekaa regions demonstrated the resilience of our people,” he said, describing the mass return as a symbolic victory over occupation.

Sheikh Qassem noted that Hezbollah had refrained from retaliating to over 1,350 Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement to avoid providing the enemy with a pretext for further aggression. He criticized the U.S. and other Western nations for backing Israeli actions, describing the occupation’s methods as excessively brutal and aimed at eliminating resistance.

Despite losses among its leadership, Sheikh Qassem maintained that Hezbollah remains steadfast and resilient, with its supporters standing firm in their commitment to the cause. He also underscored the importance of investigating weaknesses exposed during recent conflicts to enhance the resistance’s future capabilities.

Addressing domestic politics, Sheikh Qassem acknowledged the election of President Joseph Aoun as a reflection of national unity, facilitated by the cooperation between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement. He praised the political collaboration aimed at maintaining stability and forming a functional government under Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam.

Sheikh Qassem celebrated the recent victory of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza, crediting the steadfastness of Palestinians and the support of regional allies, including Yemen and Iraq. He described the resistance’s success as a blow to Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas and undermine the Palestinian cause.

He concluded his address by reiterating Hezbollah’s commitment to the resistance and the enduring strength of its operations, ensuring that Lebanon’s sovereignty and dignity remain protected. (ILKHA)