Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a lengthy speech Friday evening asserting that the organization was not defeated, that resistance would persist, and that Hezbollah will not revert to its pre-March 2026 status. He claimed the existence of an "international plan" aimed at dismantling Hezbollah's power in Lebanon, according to reports.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a speech Friday evening asserting the organization's continued viability despite sustained Israeli military pressure. Qassem claimed Hezbollah was not defeated, that resistance would endure, and that the group would not revert to its pre-March 2026 status — a reference to the period before Israel's ground operation in southern Lebanon.
Qassem further alleged the existence of an "international plan" designed to dismantle Hezbollah's military and political power in Lebanon. The speech follows a series of public statements by the Hezbollah leader in recent weeks rejecting ceasefire agreements and accusing Israel of seeking to destroy Lebanon.
The Friday address extends a pattern of defiant messaging from Qassem, who assumed leadership following the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah in late 2024. The claims could not be independently verified.
3 developments
- DevelopingHezbollah leader Naim Qassem vows to continue 'jihad of Hussein', refuses to disarm
- DevelopingHezbollah chief Naim Qassem begins speech as tensions remain high
- StrongHezbollah chief Qassem reaffirms armed resistance as only path, demands full Israeli withdrawal
- StrongHezbollah chief Qassem declares 'active confrontation' alongside Iran, thanks Tehran for linking ceasefires
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