Sheikh Naim Qassem: ‘What is happening in Gaza is part of “Greater Israel” project’
BEIRUT, Oct. 04 (YPA) – The Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, emphasized on Saturday that “what is happening in the Gaza Strip is not an isolated incident, but rather part of the “Greater Israel” project that the Israeli occupation government seeks to impose on the region politically after failing to achieve it militarily”.
In his speech, he called on the peoples of the region and its vital forces to confront this project, each from their own position.
Qassem said that what is happening in Gaza is closely linked to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the rest of the region.
Hezbollah’s Secretary-General pointed out that the plan recently proposed by US President Donald Trump came at a carefully considered time to absolve “Israel” of its crimes before international public opinion, and aimed to whitewash Israel’s image in the face of the mounting wave of international condemnation, particularly at the United Nations, to calm Western public opinion following the escalation of popular movements in American and European countries against the war on Gaza, in addition to provide political cover for the ongoing aggression on Gaza under the banner of the “American Peace Initiative and to prepare the political ground for the consecration of the Greater Israel project under an American guise.
Qassem explained that Trump’s plan essentially conformed to the five principles “Israel” set out to end the aggression against Gaza, saying, “It is a fully Israeli plan, but with an American facade. It has undergone several modifications in coordination with Netanyahu to fully align with Israeli interests.”
He revealed that the plan was discussed in its initial form with some Arab countries before its announcement, and that modifications were made to meet “Israel”‘s requirements. He added that “the United States is trying to implement its Greater Israel project through politics after Tel Aviv failed to impose it through aggression and massacres.”
“Any retreat by Israel is a temporary tactical retreat because the conditions are not yet ripe for imposing its expansionist project, but its goals have not changed.”
He added that “Israel will not succeed in extracting what it wants from the Palestinians through war.”
Regarding the Lebanese issue, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah stated that Lebanon is at the center of a storm due to the continued Israeli aggression, backed by all means possible. “Israel is now trying to achieve militarily what it failed to achieve through political pressure, but it will not be able to achieve its goals despite American support.”
He added, “Through American intervention, they sought to reshape the Lebanese state on the basis that Hezbollah is weak. They interfered in the structure of the state to achieve through politics what they failed to achieve through war.”
Sheikh Naim Qassem emphasized that the “Taif Agreement is not a matter of opinion and is not subject to the balance of power”, saying, “Part of it has not been implemented, and it must be fully implemented because it is the foundation of national stability.”
He considered the government negligent in raising the issue of repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, calling on it to place this issue on its agenda at every session.
Qassem pointed out that attempts to ignite strife between the Lebanese Army and the resistance had failed, appreciating the army’s wise actions, stressing that everything would be open to understanding and cooperation between the army and the resistance.
He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that “there is a national mind in Lebanon that seeks construction and stability, and that a unified stance between the army and the resistance is the basic guarantee for preventing strife and confronting the ongoing Israeli aggression.”
AA