By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected disarmament efforts, criticized Lebanese authorities, and issued fresh warnings against Israel and allies.

Key Developments

• Qassem described efforts to restrict weapons solely to the state as an “Israeli project” and rejected calls to disarm Hezbollah.
• He accused Lebanese authorities of making repeated concessions under American pressure while failing to protect national sovereignty.
• The Hezbollah leader warned resistance operations would continue, predicted a “third liberation,” and reaffirmed support for Palestine and Iran.

Liberation Anniversary

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem delivered a major speech Sunday marking the 26th anniversary of Resistance and Liberation Day, using the occasion to address Lebanon’s political crisis, ongoing Israeli military actions, internal debates over Hezbollah’s weapons and broader regional developments.

The speech came amid continued Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, domestic political disputes over Hezbollah’s future role, and growing US pressure on Beirut regarding security arrangements and resistance weapons.

Qassem presented the anniversary as not only a national event but a broader symbolic victory.

“Resistance and Liberation Day is a celebration for all Lebanese, all free people in the world and Palestine,” he said.

He argued that the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 was achieved through resistance efforts and coordination among the resistance movement, the army and the Lebanese people.

“We should always remember that resistance strikes forced the occupation to withdraw from the border region in 2000,” he said.

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Criticism of Lebanese ‘Concessions’

A significant part of Qassem’s remarks focused on Lebanon’s political leadership and its handling of developments since the November 2024 ceasefire arrangement.

He recalled the indirect agreement reached by Lebanon in November 2024 that was intended to halt Israeli attacks and end occupation-related tensions, arguing that Israeli violations continued uninterrupted afterward.

According to Qassem, despite the passage of more than a year, Israel continued military operations while Lebanon remained unable to enforce implementation of the agreement.

He accused Lebanese authorities of gradually making one concession after another.

“The concessions continued until they reached the point of criminalizing the resistance,” he said.

Addressing the government directly, he added:

“We do not ask the state to confront the American-Israeli project, but it should not become a tool in facilitating it.”

Qassem also criticized what he described as a broader erosion of Lebanese sovereignty.

“There is no political sovereignty in Lebanon. The country remains under American tutelage.”

He argued that sovereignty extends beyond military affairs to economic, social and political dimensions.

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‘An Israeli Project’

The issue of Hezbollah’s weapons occupied a central place in the speech.

Qassem sharply rejected current calls to limit weapons exclusively to the Lebanese state and portrayed such proposals as serving Israeli interests.

“Limiting weapons exclusively to the state at this stage is an Israeli project,” he said.

He argued that disarming Hezbollah would effectively strip Lebanon of its capacity to defend itself.

“Disarming means stripping Lebanon of its defensive power in preparation for extermination.”

Qassem maintained that Hezbollah’s military capability would remain intact until Lebanon proves capable of independently protecting its sovereignty.

“This weapon will remain in our hands until the state practically carries out its duty.”

Opposition to Direct Negotiations

Qassem also criticized reports and discussions regarding direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

He described direct negotiations as a strategic gain for Israel and warned against moving in that direction.

“Direct negotiations are a pure gain for Israel,” he said.

He advised Lebanese officials to reject external pressure and argued that doing so would shift political dynamics in Lebanon’s favor.

الإعلام الحربي في المقاومة الإسلامية ينشر مشاهد من عملية استهداف بتاريخ 18-05-2026 آلية هندسيّة تابعة لجيش العدو الإسرائيلي عند خلة الراج في بلدة دير سريان جنوبيّ لبنان بمحلّقة أبابيل الانقضاضيّة. #الميادين pic.twitter.com/KnNO3cLI9u

— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) May 24, 2026

‘Third Liberation’

Qassem struck a highly defiant tone regarding developments in southern Lebanon and the future of resistance operations.

He warned that Hezbollah would continue responding to Israeli military activity and declared that anyone joining Israel against Hezbollah would be treated as an adversary.

“Everyone who stands with Israel against us, we will confront as we confront Israel.”

He also claimed Israeli forces were suffering real battlefield losses in southern Lebanon and accused Israel of targeting civilians and homes in response.

Addressing Hezbollah’s drone operations, Qassem vowed they would continue targeting Israeli soldiers.

“The resistance drones will continue pursuing Israeli enemy soldiers.”

He then delivered one of the speech’s strongest declarations, suggesting Hezbollah viewed current developments as part of a larger historical process.

“We will rebuild the homes, our people will return to their homes, we will expel the enemy in defeat, and we will announce the third liberation soon.”

الإعلام الحربي في المقاومة الإسلامية ينشر مشاهد من عملية استهداف بتاريخ 22-05-2026 أحد جنود جيش العدو الإسرائيلي في موقع المنارة عند الحدود اللبنانية الجنوبية بمحلّقة أبابيل الانقضاضيّة.#الميادين pic.twitter.com/snwm0NzuaQ

— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) May 24, 2026

Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Palestine and Iran

Qassem also addressed recent controversy surrounding Al-Qard Al-Hassan, describing the institution as a social organization serving low-income communities and rejecting efforts targeting it.

“The project of eliminating Al-Qard Al-Hassan is an American project and we will confront it.”

Turning to Palestine, Qassem reaffirmed Hezbollah’s long-standing position.

“Palestine will remain the compass and we will continue supporting it.”

He also praised Iran’s role in recent regional confrontations and argued Tehran had emerged stronger despite pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv.

“Iran managed to humiliate America and Israel,” he said, adding that Iran would become an exceptional international force that free people around the world would increasingly turn toward.

(Military Media, Al Mayadeen, PC)