Qassem to fighters: 'We will turn the battlefield into hell for Israel'

BEIRUT — Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed "continued resistance" against Israel in a message to the party's fighters on Tuesday, saying the group would not “submit or surrender” and would keep fighting “no matter how long it takes.”

In the statement, Qassem described the confrontation with Israel and its allies as an “Israeli-American aggression” aimed at subjugating Lebanon and incorporating it into what he called “Greater Israel.” He said Hezbollah would continue its military activities regardless of the costs, arguing that “the sacrifices are far less costly than surrender.”

“We will not abandon the battlefield, and we will turn it into a living hell for Israel,” he said, adding that Hezbollah would respond to any “aggression and violations.”

Qassem said Israel would eventually be forced to “give in, sooner or later,” and reiterated that the group would maintain its posture of resistance.

He also reiterated Hezbollah's demands for ending the conflict, saying that any agreement involving Lebanon should focus on five key points: ending Israeli military actions by land, sea, and air; Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory; deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River; the release of prisoners; and the return of displaced residents along with reconstruction efforts.

While referring positively to international efforts to halt hostilities, Qassem emphasized that negotiations should be conducted indirectly through Lebanese authorities, rejecting direct talks that he said would benefit Israel.

“No party outside Lebanon has any authority over weapons, resistance, or internal affairs,” he said, stressing that these issues remain purely domestic.

He added that once Lebanon’s stated objectives are achieved, the country could move toward a broader national security strategy that includes all sources of strength, including Hezbollah.

Qassem’s remarks were also broadcast via Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television, where he reaffirmed that the group would remain engaged in the conflict until its objectives are met, saying: “We will not leave the arena of confrontation until God grants us success.”