Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem released a recorded speech marking the anniversary of the killing of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah. Highlights:
"We remain true to the pledge" means that we will continue, and that when a leadership is martyred, another leadership takes its place and continues on the path of the previous one.
We are in favor of the continuation of the resistance, and we will work to ensure it continues against the enemy, so that it leaves our land and we achieve the complete liberation of the occupied territory.
Some, especially our opponents, ask: What has the resistance done? But it seems they have forgotten a crucial question: What has the state done?
The resistance halted the enemy's project. This is what it accomplished, and it prevented them from achieving their goals.
The resistance has proven that forces numbering up to 90,000 Israeli soldiers and officers have been unable to achieve their objectives of breaking the resistance.
Humiliation is far from us.
With the immense sacrifices made thus far, we can only persevere, and we cannot be defeated.
We stood firm in Bint Jbeil, Khiam, Aita al-Shaab, Naqoura, Bayyada, and Ali al-Taher, and everywhere there was resistance in the south. In the case of Ali al-Taher, the resistance lasted three months, and in every location, it lasted for months.
The resistance confronts through two main approaches: first, to confront the enemy at the place and time possible, considering the potential gains and losses; second, to prevent the enemy from establishing a foothold. These two approaches will lead to liberation over time, as conditions develop.
The secrets of how the battle is managed and its nature cannot be disclosed.
If some are willing to accept surrender, we are not. This country belongs to all of us, and we must reach an agreement and not relinquish even a single inch of its 10,452 square kilometers.
The foundation of the country, its backbone, and its future lies in southern Lebanon.
It should be clear that Lebanon without resistance will disappear.
Whoever believes they can retain a part of Lebanon while abandoning another part of the land or the people is mistaken.
Lebanon is one, and it will remain so, or it will not exist. We do not have multiple "Lebanons," and we must all work together to ensure it remains united.
If Israel withdraws from any location or announces a withdrawal plan today or tomorrow, this will be a result of the resistance, not the negotiations.
I announce to you that we are committed to providing shelter, repairs, and reconstruction using our resources and donations, and we urge the state to fulfill its responsibility. I'm pleased to announce that we will soon be unveiling our contribution to a shelter project, and we will share the details with you.
I hold the Lebanese government responsible for the high cost of living and the weakness of the Lebanese currency. We now have a "Ministry of Darkness" instead of a Ministry of Energy.
● on the issue of exclusive control over weapons: We are ready for dialogue and discussion, but first, liberate the south and allow the residents to return. Then, we can reach an understanding among ourselves.
Among his remarks, Qassem declared: “The resistance won because it succeeded in preventing the occupation from establishing settlements in southern Lebanon.”
The definition of “victory” has progressively shifted. Once it was preventing Israeli forces from entering Lebanese territory. Then it was preventing a deep Israeli advance. After that it was preventing Israeli forces from reaching Beirut. And now is reduced to preventing Israel from establishing settlements in southern Lebanon.
A great erosion of the "resistance" overall can be noticed from his speech. He also backtracked from refusing any discussion on disarmament to saying that this is up for discussion if Israel withdraws.
