Naim Qassem: 'Threats don't work, we will not hand over our weapons to Israel

BEIRUT — The Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated on Wednesday night that his party refuses to "hand over its weapons to Israel," at a time when Lebanon is considering the American proposal presented by envoy Tom Barrack, which calls for the withdrawal of weapons from all Lebanese and non-Lebanese factions by November.

"Threats don't work with us, and we do not accept handing over our weapons to Israel," Qassem declared during a speech broadcast on the seventh night of Ashoura commemorations at the Sayyed al-Shouhada complex in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Qassem insisted that "internal matters" in Lebanon must be "addressed and decided internally, without any Israeli or foreign intervention," calling on Israel to "respect the agreements signed with the Lebanese state." "We are not influenced by pressure, because the truth is with us," he continued, adding: "We will not submit to Israel."

Concerning the American proposal, it provides for a gradual withdrawal of weapons, starting with the north of the Litani River, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal. Hezbollah claims to have already respected the ceasefire by depositing its weapons south of the Litani. It considers that the issue of weapons in the north falls within an internal dialogue with President Joseph Aoun, part of a national defense strategy, and refuses any imposed deadlines or constraints. Hezbollah sets several conditions, notably the Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas, the release of prisoners, and the end of violations.

The leader of Hezbollah also denounced Israel as "the permanent aggressor," noting that "it has violated the ceasefire more than 3,700 times." "God has promised us a certain victory," Qassem assured, describing the State of Israel as a "real danger not only to Muslims but also to Christians and Jews," due to "its vision, thoughts, and actions."

Echoing remarks by Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he also stated that Israel is a "cancerous tumor" and "constitutes a strategic threat to Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, the region, and the entire world."

Hezbollah and Israel engaged in a devastating war lasting more than 13 months between October 2023 and November 2024, following the conflict in Gaza, which weakened Hezbollah. Despite a cease-fire in force since Nov. 27, the Israeli army still occupies five positions in Southern Lebanon and continues to violate the agreement with frequent bombings.