Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem highlighted on Monday that Lebanon is facing an occupier who is aggressing and refusing to withdraw, stressing that the resistance has the right to act, as it sees fit, regarding the form, nature, and timing of the confrontation.
In a televised speech, Sheikh Qassem affirmed that the continued occupation is an aggression against Lebanese sovereignty, and everyone is responsible for confronting this occupation: the people, the army, the state, the resistance, and the various political forces.
Sheikh Qassem held the United Nations, the United States, France, and ‘Israel’ responsible for the consequences of the delaying the withdrawal.
“‘Israel’ must withdraw after 60 days, and we do not accept any excuse for extending even one day, nor do we accept an extension of the deadline. President Joseph Aoun cannot give ‘Israel’ a single gain, and no one in Lebanon will accept extending the aggression against Lebanon with the enemy.”
The Zionist occupation cannot remain in Lebanon with such proud people who may never be defeated, his eminence added.
Sheikh Qassem pointed out that the tripartite army-people- resistance equation, which prevented ‘Israel’ from reaching Beirut and the south of the Litani River, is as clear as the sun adding that the problem lies with those who cannot see it.
Those who possess dignity stand and march towards the frontline positions, undeterred by their policies and American support for them, Sheikh Qassem maintained.
“The scene of return on November 27 at 4:00 am to the South, Dahiya [Beirut’s southern suburb], and Bekaa was a victory scene. Celebrations of triumph spread across all regions as the resistance fighters remained steadfast in the field with their heads held high, firm and strong.”
We achieved victory because we returned, and the occupier will be forced to leave and withdraw,” his eminence affirmed, “The resistance fighters never left the battlefield, and the resistance remains steadfast and strong.”
The American sponsor of the agreement is the same one who sponsors the ‘Israeli’ aggression and failed to play his role, yet we decided not to give any pretext, Sheikh Qassem said.
The breach of the agreement proves Lebanon’s need for the resistance, Hezbollah leader affirmed.
“We were subjected to a counter-campaign, part of which was internal, aimed at portraying us as defeated. Some may have had a heart attack because their dreams of defeating the resistance did not come true.”
The resistance emerged victorious clearly and obviously, Sheikh Qassem underlined.
Hezbollah Secretary General confirmed that the resistance emerged victorious with this people who surged towards the frontline villages even before the Israeli withdrawal and amid the Zionist aggression as well as violations.
The popular return challenged the Israeli live bullets, and the returnees relied on their religious belief, personal dignity and national honor to confront the enemy attacks, his eminence said.
Sheikh Qassem noted that the aggressor requested a ceasefire under conditions, and Hezbollah agreed because it neither initiated the war nor sought it.
“We accepted the ceasefire agreement as the state took the decision to defend the borders and remove “Israel”.This is an opportunity for the state to fulfill its duties and test its political capabilities.”
We remained committed and chose patience, refraining from responding to ‘Israeli’ violations despite feelings of humiliation over the retaliatory actions, Sheikh Qassem said.
Hezbollah Secretary General pointed out that the aggression against Lebanon, as with Gaza, was an unrestrained act of hostility backed by the U.S. and the West.
“The U.S. and ‘Israel’ sought to eliminate the resistance, deploying five divisions comprising 75,000 soldiers and officers, with excessive brutality, to achieve this goal,” his eminence added, “The resistance, in all its forms, stood firm with legendary resolve and martyrdom-driven determination.”
“The world witnessed the heroes of the resistance. Our people bore significant sacrifices, showcasing resilience. The resistance emerged united and strong, regaining control within ten days, fueled by the spirit instilled by the Master of the Martyrs of the Nation, His Eminence Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah.”
Sheikh Qassem affirmed that the resistance operations escalated, and the ‘Israeli’ forces advanced only a few hundred meters on the frontlines, hindered by the steadfastness of the fighters, adding that, meanwhile, the displaced supported the resistance with their cohesion, and the diverse Lebanese population remained loyal in their solidarity.
Hezbollah Chief baldly said that the resistance supporters were shocked by the massive blow and the losses inflicted by the enemy during the war because of the successive military victories of the resistance in 2000 (Liberation), 2006 (July’s War) and 2017 (Second Liberation).
The resistance supporters thought that the resistance weapons, missiles, drones and information capabilities will certainly lead to victory, his eminence added.
“The balance of deterrence Hezbollah maintained over 17 years against the enemy has led people to believe in the sustainability of our military strength. Our supporters did not expect us to lose this number of leaders in such a short period and across this wide spread.”
Sheikh Qassem explained that the enemy’s informational dominance, control over communications, artificial intelligence, and airforce were critical factors in the strikes directed at the resistance.
Hezbollah is conducting an investigation into this significant exposure, his eminence underscored.
Sheikh Qassem asserted that the resistance remains strong in its decisions, willpower, and believers, and it is even stronger with its continuity.
On the Lebanese politics, Shekh Qassem said that the National Duo [Hezbollah and Amal Movement] achieved the consensual presidential choice through the election of President Joseph Aoun, adding that. without the participation of the National Duo, the president would not have been elected in such a way that expresses national unity, which is a strength for the national duo.
“We acted wisely because we want sustain the country and government and cooperated with the designated Prime Minister Nawaf Salam; the complexities of forming the government are not with us.”
The matters between us, the designated Prime Minister, and the President are clear, with no obstacles.
Hezbollah Chief also hailed the victory in Gaza as a triumph for the Palestinian people, the region’s supportive nations, and all the free people worldwide who endorsed and backed the cause.
“The goal of Al-Aqsa Flood was achieved, and Israel’s project to destroy the resistance and Hamas was defeated,” hsi eminence said.
“We extend gratitude to dear Yemen for its sacrifices, to Iraq for its people, religious authority, and Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi, and to Lebanon, which gave the Master of the Martyrs of the Nation, His Eminence Sayyed Nasrallah.”
Sheikh Qassem started his speech by indicating that the treacherous culprits in the assassination of Sheikh Mohammad Hammadi, Hezbollah leader in Western Bekaa, remain under investigation, but that suspicion points towards the Zionists.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
