Qassem: The government is wrong to choose a path of concessions | LIVE

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Palestinian flag raised at Toronto City Hall

The Palestinian flag was raised Monday in front of Toronto City Hall, a first for the Canadian city after Prime Minister Mark Carney's government officially recognized the State of Palestine in September.

Two months ago, Canada joined a group of Western states, including the United Kingdom and France, in recognizing a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly, a decision that angered Israel and the United States.

According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, heavy Israeli gunfire has been reported from a newly established Israeli position in an occupied sector along the road connecting Markaba to Houla (Marjayoun).

Residents quoted by our correspondent also reported that the Israeli army fired machine guns from Roueissat al-Alam towards Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya). The gunfire was heard in the village.

Israel fired a grenade targeting and wounding a citizen in the southern village of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya), reported the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Earlier in the day, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported that a smaller Israeli drone had fired a grenade at a shepherd in Kfar Shuba, killing several sheep.

Lebanese Army announces establishment of new position in Aitaroun

The Lebanese Army has announced it will establish a new position in the Khanouq area in the village of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil district), in order to reinforce its presence and deployment on the village’s outskirts, according to our correspondent in the South.

The area of Khanouq has been, in recent weeks, subjected to Israeli explosions, shelling and grenades, all in violation of the November 2024 cease-fire agreement.

Earlier today, the municipality of Aitaroun was informed by security forces that the Israeli army was planning to target a local site in the village. Following that, the village was subjected to heavy Israeli artillery fire, with at least eight shells hitting the village's outskirts.

Several sheep killed in Israeli attack in Kfar Shuba

Our correspondent in southern Lebanon reports that a small Israeli drone fired a grenade on a shepherd in the village of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya), killing several sheep. The shepherd was not injured.

Meanwhile, in Beirut, Israeli drones have been flying at low altitude over the capital and its surroundings for several hours.

Commenting on the recent debate on electoral law and expatriate voting, Naim Qassem called for an end to "paralyzing Parliament, as this paralysis is completely unjustified."

He also denounced a lack of "justice and equality" if the diaspora is allowed to vote for the 128 members of Parliament. Defending the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, he denounced "a criminal attack against him that has no justification."

"Nabih Berri is the pillar of Lebanon's stability, the prevention of unrest, and the construction of an independent and liberated state," he said.

Qassem's view on US sanctions and economic pressure

Naim Qassem referred to pressure against Hezbollah's financial association, al-Qard al-Hassan. During a tour of Lebanon last week, an American delegation called for the closure of all branches of the financial company linked to Hezbollah and sanctioned by the United States. Washington is trying to strengthen measures to prevent the party from receiving Iranian funds or any other source of financing.

"This is a social institution open to everyone in this difficult situation in order to make life easier for everyone, the poor and the needy. No one has the right to prevent goods, aid and solidarity," he said. "I advise the government, the governor of the Bank of Lebanon, and all parties concerned to put an end to measures that hinder the actions of Hezbollah and all Lebanese people."

"There are lies and attempts to sow discord and push Lebanon under American tutelage, both inside and outside the country," Qassem warned. "To those who spread poison: if you want a political future in Lebanon, you will not achieve it through submission or dependence."

Qassem points finger at US for Lebanon's economic downfall

"Who has destroyed Lebanon from 2019 to today? It is the Americans who have destroyed Lebanon. The protests that took place reflected the suffering of the people, but they were also marked by American foreign interference aimed at sowing internal discord and altering the internal balance," he said.

"The currency collapsed in Lebanon because of the United States, the banks went bankrupt because of them, and the economy suffered because of them. They prevented electricity from coming in from Egypt and Jordan, and disrupted oil supplies through their modus operandi and tenders. If you want to know the greatest misfortunes that have befallen Lebanon, look to the United States," he added.

Qassem to the government: 'Try saying 'no''

Addressing the Lebanese government, Naim Qassem asked: "How many times have you tried concessions and made unilateral offers that have come to nothing?"

"The presence in the south of the Litani despite the ongoing aggression is a concession," he stressed. "The announcement of the willingness to negotiate is a concession. The adoption of the principles of Barrack's shameful roadmap is a concession."

"Try saying 'no' on the basis of Lebanon's rights, and we will all be united," he added. "Together, we will build our independence, liberate our land, regain our independence, and, Christians and Muslims from all regions of Lebanon, we will be of one heart and one hand in the face of the Israeli enemy and its American supporters to defend our rights. "

"American tutelage over Lebanon is a very great danger and does not serve the stability of the country. The United States is an aggressor, supports Israeli aggression, and guides Israel on the limits of aggression to suit its political objectives and diplomatic pressures," accused the Hezbollah leader.

The government is responsible for responding to Israeli attacks, says Qassem

For Naim Qassem, Israeli attacks "against UNIFIL, the Lebanese Army and civilians clearly show that we are facing a serious and widespread aggression. We must confront it with all diplomatic and political means, and consider all measures that will put an end to this aggression."

"The Lebanese government is responsible for deliberating, and the Lebanese state as a whole is responsible for implementing response programs so that we can confront this aggression," he added.

"Israeli hostilities are the problem, not the resistance, nor the institutions of the Lebanese state, nor the army," he charged. "Anyone who claims that the resistance is a problem because it does not surrender is in fact agreeing to hand the country over to Israel, whereas we do not accept this."

"I am addressing the government, and we are part of that government. We want it to succeed in building Lebanon and liberating it. The government is wrong to choose the path of concessions in the hope of ending the aggression," he further emphasized. We are partners in this country, we have a say, and with us stands a large part of the Lebanese people as well as allied political forces."

A few days before Lebanon's Independence Day, Naim Qassem emphasized that: "Lebanon only gained its independence on Nov. 22, 1943, at the cost of suffering, demands, courageous stances and detentions."

"Independence means the liberation of the territory and the rejection of any foreign control. We believe in Lebanon's independence over its entire territory (10,452 km²) and we refuse to allow Lebanon to lose a single centimeter of its territory. We want it to remain proud, noble, liberated and free from any form of guardianship," he added.

He recalled that UNIFIL had accused Israel of building "walls" on Lebanese territory, making more than 4,000 m² of land inaccessible to the population. Israel merely admitted to having built a reinforced barrier along the demarcation line with Lebanon.

" What is happening today in Lebanon is not simply a violation of the ceasefire agreement, but a clear act of aggression aimed at controlling Lebanon and stripping it of its strength," Naim Qassem emphasized, calling on the Lebanese to "reach out to each other as they did in 2000" when the Israelis withdrew from southern Lebanon.

Naim Qassem pays tribute to Mohammad Afif on the first anniversary of his death

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem spoke on the first anniversary of Mohammad Afif’s death.

Afif had led the party’s media relations office for several years and served as its official spokesperson during the last war. He was killed in an Israeli strike last November.

After his death, Youssef Zein was appointed director of Hezbollah’s media relations.

Qassem described Afif as “an exceptional man in charge of media relations for over ten years under the supervision of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah” and “a brilliant name in the media world, with a strong pen and voice.”

He added that Afif was targeted because he had effectively promoted Hezbollah’s narrative of resistance, reflecting the reality of Islamic resistance and its audience.

U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander General Diodato Abagnara visited Naqoura on Monday to assess infrastructure damage from the recent conflict, according to a UNIFIL statement shared by the state-run news agency NNA.

During the visit, General Abagnara distributed 100 food packages to villagers, reaffirming UNIFIL’s commitment to support the local community and strengthen its resilience.

He met with Mayor Ibrahim Hamza and municipal council members to discuss key issues, including water supply, environmental concerns, roads, and both urgent and long-term community needs.

Italian and Chinese UNIFIL teams were quickly deployed to evaluate the situation.

Chinese engineers began work clearing debris and reopening internal roads, following demolition and debris removal by the South Council, marking the first stage of a joint UNIFIL-community cooperation initiative in Naqoura.

South Africa warns of ‘agenda’ behind Palestinian arrivals

South Africa raised concerns after 153 Palestinians arrived in Johannesburg last week on a chartered flight, reportedly arranged by the shadowy group al-Majd. 

Passengers said they were misled about their destination and paid around $2,000 each. A previous flight of 176 Palestinians arrived under similar circumstances.

The government called the arrivals part of a “clear agenda to cleanse Palestinians” from Gaza and the West Bank and launched an investigation. Israel said the passengers left Gaza with approval from an unnamed third country, AFP reports.

Aitaroun residents told to stay indoors after renewed Israeli fire

The border village of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil) has been under heavy Israeli artillery fire since this morning, with at least eight shells hitting the outskirts of the village in recent hours.

In response to these repeated Israeli attacks, residents have been asked by the municipality to remain indoors, and shops have been ordered to close.

According to information from our correspondent, local authorities were also warned by the Lebanese Army of a potential escalation in Israeli attacks on the village

Israeli forces dismantle outpost in occupied West Bank

Israeli security forces evacuated and demolished an illegal outpost in the Gush Etzion area, south of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank, following violence in the area, the Defense Ministry and a local official said Monday.

According to video footage from the scene circulated on social media and in Israeli media, large forces were deployed at the Tzur Misgavi outpost, southeast of Efrat.

The images show heavy machinery preparing to demolish the structures there, accompanied by border guards.

Israeli media reported that 25 families were evacuated.

Germany to resume arms export to Israel

The German government will lift an order suspending some weapons sales to Israel from next week, following the cease-fire agreement reached last month, a government spokesperson said on Monday, Reuters reports.

"The government will, as a general rule, revert to case-by-case reviews in decisions on arms exports and respond to further developments," the spokesperson said.

The decision will allow the resumption of exports suspended in August, from Nov. 24, the spokesperson said.

Israeli strikes and drone flights reported in several areas of southern Lebanon

An Israeli drone dropped stun grenades 4 times around 11 a.m. in the same area of the border town of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil district), in the eastern part of the village.

Drone flights were also reported over the city of Saida and its southern outskirts, in Zahrani.

Low-altitude drone activity was heard over Zahleh and several villages in central Bekaa.

Israeli drones fly over Naqoura

Israeli drones are flying over the village of Naqoura (Sour), according to the state-run National News Agency.

Aitaroun municipality warned of imminent Israeli strike

The municipality of Aitaroun was informed by security forces that the Israeli army was planning to target a local site in the village, according to our correspondent.

The municipality evacuated its headquarters and took all necessary safety and precautionary measures.

This morning in Gaza:

An Israeli drone killed a person Monday morning in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, after opening fire while the victim was “behind the yellow line” marking the area Israeli forces withdrew from under the cease-fire.

This follows three people killed Sunday east of Khan Younes in southern Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 266 people have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the cease-fire began on Oct. 10, bringing the total death toll in the enclave since Oct. 7, 2023, to 69,483.

Hamas criticizes US draft resolution on Gaza

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the amendments granting non-Palestinian entities control over internal governance and security in Gaza undermine stability.

He called for a U.N. resolution that strengthens the cease-fire and deploys a peacekeeping force instead of allowing external authorities to govern Palestinian affairs.

Israeli strike hits Mansouri, south Lebanon

An Israeli drone targeted a car around 11 p.m. Sunday, killing Mohammad Ali Shweikh, a school principal from Mansouri and a “local representative” of Hezbollah, according to the party.

The Israeli army confirmed the strike, claiming Shweikh, managed relations between Hezbollah and villagers on military and economic matters and facilitated the seizure of private property for the party.

Photos of the strike were released by the Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

UN Security Council vote expected on international force in Gaza

The UN Security Council is set to vote Monday on a U.S. draft resolution to deploy an international force in Gaza, where a fragile cease-fire is monitored by the United States.

The draft resolution endorses Donald Trump’s plan and authorizes an “international stabilization force” (ISF) to secure borders with Israel and Egypt, demilitarize Gaza, disarm non-state armed groups, protect civilians, and train a Palestinian police force.

The composition of this force is not specified. Unlike earlier versions, the draft mentions the possibility of a Palestinian state and establishes a “Peace Committee” to govern Gaza until the Palestinian Authority is reformed, with Donald Trump as its chair, through Dec. 31, 2027.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Middle East news.

Following developments in Lebanon, where Israel continues to frequently violate the cease-fire agreed with Hezbollah at the end of November 2024.

We will also cover events in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, Syria, and other countries in the region.

Catch up on what you missed over the weekend and what to keep an eye out for today by reading our 👉 Morning Brief.