Hezbollah chief: We are in a stage of defending our land, existence, and liberation
BEIRUT, Feb. 03 (YPA) -Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said the group is in a stage of “defending the land, existence, and liberation,” accusing Israel of targeting Hezbollah’s support base in an attempt to intimidate it and force it into submission.
“We are in a stage of defending our land, existence, and liberation. We face an existential aggression that seeks to obliterate our existence,” Sheikh Qassem said, addressing the ceremony of the Islamic Association for Education and Teaching (Al-Mahdi Schools).
Sheikh Qassem indicated that the enemy’s goal in attacking the houses in Kfar Tibnit and Ain Qana, where there is no capability, was to strike the environment and make people surrender to avoid resisting the enemy.
“They occupy our land, and this land is ours. We will not accept giving up the land. We must face this enemy with the defense capabilities,” his eminence added.
“Hezbollah is ready to discuss how to confront the aggression with those who believe in this direction, wherever they are, because this is a national issue, and the aggression is happening to the entire country,” Sheikh Qassem said.
Sheikh Qassem underscored that this enemy needs tools within the country, calling for not helping it and not repeating the failed and shameful past experience, which is certainly doomed to loss.
“Lebanon is not required to do anything. What is required is to pressure America and the Israeli enemy to implement the agreement and stop the aggression.”
Sheikh Qassem called on the Lebanese officials, “Explain to the foreign envoys that you cannot pressure your people. Tell them we cannot.”
Qassem warned against what he described as internal actors serving Israeli interests, saying the enemy “needs tools within the country” and cautioning against repeating “failed and shameful experiences of the past.”
On domestic matters, he said Hezbollah and Amal lawmakers had helped preserve “fragile public order” by supporting the state budget to prevent further economic deterioration.
He outlined four priorities for what he called a national strategy: ending Israeli attacks, withdrawal from occupied territory, the release of detainees, and reconstruction.
Beyond Lebanon, Qassem praised Iran, saying it was capable of confronting and defeating the United States and Israel.
His remarks come amid continued Israeli strikes across Lebanon, particularly in the south, Israeli control of areas along the border, and the detention of at least 24 Lebanese nationals in Israeli prisons.
They also come as Lebanon prepares for parliamentary elections scheduled for May, amid debate over a possible delay and discussions over the electoral law, particularly expatriate voting.
@E.Y.M