Qassem declared that efforts to intimidate Hezbollah and other resistance groups would not succeed, citing the legacy of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's Secretary-General, as a driving force behind their continued defiance.

Qassem reflected on the one-year anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood, describing it as a pivotal event that signaled a shift in the Middle East. He emphasized that Israel’s objective remains the eradication of Palestinian resistance, which he said is essential to Israel’s strategy of suppressing the Palestinian people and preventing any future uprising.

“What Israel is doing is not a war, but the murder of humanity,” Qassem asserted, accusing Israel of receiving unqualified support from the United States and some European nations. He suggested that, without such backing, Israel’s military efforts would have collapsed within a month.

Hezbollah’s deputy chief warned that Israel’s actions pose a threat not only to the Palestinian people but also to Lebanon and the broader region. Qassem announced the creation of a Lebanese support front aimed at providing aid to Gaza during its ongoing conflict and assisting in achieving a victory for the resistance. He also stressed that Lebanon itself is a target of Israeli aggression, recalling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stated ambition for a “new Middle East.”

Qassem highlighted that Israel’s war strategy includes targeting Lebanese civilians and destroying residential areas in an effort to sow division between Hezbollah fighters and their support base, an approach he said has failed.

Qassem reaffirmed Hezbollah’s military capabilities, stating that the group continues to expand its missile and drone ranges, striking Israeli targets based on their strategic plans. He also expressed support for political efforts within Lebanon, particularly those led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, to achieve a ceasefire in the region.

Qassem dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's claims about resettling displaced Israelis, predicting instead that more settlers would be forced to flee. He praised Hezbollah’s leadership for maintaining organizational efficiency and resilience despite the challenges they face, indicating that Hezbollah is well-prepared with necessary alternatives for future actions.

The Hezbollah deputy chief reiterated the strong alliance between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, emphasizing their unity in both times of peace and conflict. He expressed full confidence in Berri’s leadership and assured that the election of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General would proceed according to the party’s internal procedures.

Qassem concluded by stating that Hezbollah remains focused on the realities on the ground and uninterested in negotiations until a ceasefire is in place. (ILKHA)