terrorism

By Samantha Carter, Chief Editor

In a defiant address marking Resistance and Liberation Day on Monday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected international and domestic pressures to disarm the militant group, framing such a move as a “prelude to extermination.” The holiday commemorates the Israel Defense Forces’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon on May 25, 2000, an event Qassem described as the “first liberation that took place in the Arab region without an agreement with the Israeli entity.”

Defying Disarmament

Qassem dismissed the notion of Hezbollah’s disarmament as an impossibility, stating, “There is no such thing as exclusivity of weapons or disarming Hezbollah.” He argued that the group’s military capabilities are essential to Lebanon’s defense, asserting that “disarmament is extermination, and This represents something we cannot accept.”

During his speech, Qassem cited the use of first-person view (FPV) drones against Israeli forces, claiming these tactics have made Israel “dizzy.” While he named several officers he alleged were killed in these attacks, the Israel Defense Forces have stated that those individuals were wounded rather than killed.

Political Premises and Regional Stance

Qassem outlined four conditions he claims must be met before Hezbollah and Lebanon can move forward, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese military south of the Litani River, the return of Hezbollah “prisoners,” and the reconstruction of infrastructure. He further called for demonstrations against the Lebanese government if it fails to align with these terms, declaring, “If the [Lebanese] government is incapable of securing sovereignty, it should leave.”

The Hezbollah leader also leveled sharp criticism at the United States, characterizing it as an actor that “manages Israel according to its interests” rather than a neutral mediator. He denounced US sanctions on Hezbollah members of the Lebanese Parliament and other Shi’ite officials, while denying any organizational connection between Hezbollah and the financial institution al-Qard al-Hassan.

Addressing wider regional tensions, Qassem affirmed that “Palestine will remain the compass” for Hezbollah’s policies. He condemned the assassination of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, a leader within Hamas, and criticized Bahrain for the imprisonment of activists linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

International Reaction

The speech drew immediate condemnation from the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Hezbollah for its call to overthrow the Lebanese government, accusing the group of ignoring ceasefire calls and continuing to move fighters and weapons into southern Lebanon. “Hezbollah has ignored repeated calls from the legitimate government of Lebanon to cease its attacks and respect a ceasefire,” Rubio said. “Instead, it has continued firing on Israeli positions and moving fighters and weapons into southern Lebanon.”

Future Implications

As Hezbollah refuses to engage in direct negotiations with Jerusalem and actively challenges the authority of the Lebanese state, the political landscape appears increasingly volatile. The group’s explicit call for the government to step down if it does not adhere to Hezbollah’s mandates suggests that internal Lebanese instability could worsen. Should Hezbollah continue to mobilize against the government while maintaining its military posture, the country may face a period of heightened civil unrest and further diplomatic isolation from the United States and its allies. Conversely, if the Lebanese government faces significant pressure from the street as Qassem suggests, it may be forced to navigate an increasingly narrow path between domestic survival and the demands of its most powerful non-state actor.