Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem warned that a dangerous US-zionist scheme to establish the so-called “Greater Israel” is already underway, based on occupation and expansion “from the Euphrates to the Nile, including Lebanon,” and emphasized that attacks on Lebanon have continued unabated for fifteen months.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sheikh Qassem called for national unity in the face of this aggression, stressing that all sectors of society must stand together to defend Lebanon’s land, sovereignty, and people.
A Defining Choice: Surrender or Resistance
Sheikh Qassem said Lebanon faces two stark options: surrender—relinquishing land, dignity, sovereignty, and the future of its generations—or inevitable confrontation through resistance to prevent the occupation from achieving its goals.
His Eminence emphasized that the timing chosen by the resistance to respond to the aggression and defend Lebanon denied Israel the element of surprise, prevented it from isolating Lebanon, and invalidated all pretexts for escalation.
“A rocket salvo does not justify war, and such claims carry no weight after fifteen months of continuous aggression.”
Hezbollah at Full-scale Readiness
Sheikh Qassem affirmed that Hezbollah has made the necessary preparations and demonstrated its effectiveness and capability. His Eminence praised the extraordinary sacrifices of its fighters, who, he said, have delivered “the finest epics of heroism, honor, patriotism, and dignity.”
His Eminence added that those valiant fighters remain determined to continue without limits, ready for boundless sacrifice, describing them as “a shining symbol of patriotism and the light of coming liberation.”
Additionally, Sheikh Qassem lauded the resistance’s civilian base, describing them as “the most honorable and noble,” noting that they have endured displacement as part of the struggle, borne immense hardship, and sacrificed their children with pride and resolve to secure a free and dignified future for their country.
Aggression Fails, Resistance Endures
Sheikh Qassem stressed that “aggression is the problem and the danger, while resistance is the hope and the path to liberation,” asserting that confronting the assault is a national responsibility shared by the government, the people, the army, and all political and social forces.
“The ‘Israeli’-US campaign seeks to strip Lebanon of its strength, control its policies, and determine the future of its people by inciting internal strife, legitimizing zionist occupation, and preventing the Lebanese army from arming and defending the country,” Sheikh Qassem asserted.
No Disarmament or Negotiation Under Fire
Sheikh Qassem warned that any calls to limit weapons solely to the state—if driven by zionist demands amid ongoing occupation and aggression—would push Lebanon toward collapse and advance the vision of “Greater Israel.”
His Eminence rejected negotiations with the zionist occupation under fire, describing them as enforced surrender that would strip Lebanon of its capabilities, emphasizing that talks are fundamentally unacceptable with an enemy that occupies the land and attacks daily.
Sheikh Qassem also underscored that the conflict is not a proxy war fought on Lebanese soil but rather “a war by Israel and the United States against Lebanon,” in contrast to a defensive effort by the resistance, the people, the army, and national forces committed to Lebanon’s independence and liberation.
“We are engaged in a defensive struggle for Lebanon and its people. The martyrs are among our finest men, women, and children, and every territory reclaimed belongs solely to Lebanon.”
Call for National Unity
Sheikh Qassem called for national unity against the zionist-US enemy under a single immediate priority: halting the aggression to liberate the land and the people, affirming that all other issues can be discussed afterward.
His Eminence stressed that unity would deny the enemy any chance of occupying Lebanon, help the country endure the current phase through solidarity, and enable reconstruction.
“The government must avoid decisions that serve zionist objectives, even unintentionally, and should reverse any measures that criminalize resistance or its supporters. United, we are stronger, and together we can shorten the span of this aggression,” Sheikh Qassem added.
Unwavering Confidence in Victory
Hezbollah’s Sheikh Qassem affirmed that the zionist enemy is targeting civilians, destroying infrastructure, depopulating towns and villages, and devastating livelihoods, while avoiding direct confrontation with resistance fighters.
His Eminence expressed confidence that the resistance “will not be defeated,” backed by its people and national supporters, regardless of the sacrifices. Quoting the Quran, he reaffirmed faith in eventual victory for the oppressed.
“But it was Our Will to favour those who were oppressed in the land, making them models ˹of faith˺ as well as successors.” {Quran 28:5}
Iran’s Exceptional Example
Concluding, Sheikh Qassem pointed to Iran as an example, asserting its confrontation with what he described as global US-zionist aggression offers an important lesson.
“Iran has stood firm against the most powerful and brutal forces and, God willing, will prevail. Every victory against the United States and ‘Israel’ brings good for all,” Shekh Qassem said, closing with a Quranic verse affirming that triumph is bestowed only from God.
“And victory comes only from Allah—the Almighty, All-Wise.” {Quran 3:126}
Source: Al-Manar English Website