Story perspectives

Hezbollah Refuses Disarmament, US Condemns Overthrow Call

5/26/2026

Summary

Qassem Rejects Disarmament

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that Hezbollah will retain its weapons and reject any disarmament.
Naim Qassem warned that disarming would strip Lebanon of defense and serve as a prelude to annihilation.
Naim Qassem praised Iran under Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei as a power that will defeat the U.S.-Israeli coalition.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Hezbollah’s call to overthrow the Lebanese government, saying it drags Lebanon into chaos.

Summary

Hezbollah Drone Strikes

Hezbollah drones have continued striking Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, Secretary-General Naim Qassem said.
Qassem asserted that Israeli forces have suffered real losses since the renewed fighting began on March 2.
He accused Israel of retaliating by bombing civilian neighborhoods and residential areas in Lebanon.
The Lebanese health ministry reported 3,151 deaths and 9,571 injuries since the clashes reignited.

Summary

Lebanese Favor Disarmament

Al Jadeed’s Monday poll shows 58 % of Lebanese favor disarming Hezbollah, while 34 % oppose it.
Disarmament support is highest among Christians and Druze (89 % Orthodox, 87 % Maronites, 77 % Druze) and 70 % of Sunnis, while 88 % of Shiites oppose it.
84 % of Druze, 77 % of Maronites and 72 % of Orthodox favor talks with Israel, while only 30 % support full normalization, including 79 % of Druze and 6 % of Shiites.

History

Historical Context

After Israel’s 34-day 2006 Lebanon War—sparked by Hezbollah’s July 12 raid and ending with a UN-brokered cease-fire that left Hezbollah armed—Kofi Annan reported 1,191 Lebanese deaths. Today, Hezbollah secretary-general Naim Qassem again rejects disarmament, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemns the group; an Al Jadeed poll shows 58 % of Lebanese now favor Hezbollah’s disarmament.

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Qassem Rejects Disarmament

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that Hezbollah will retain its weapons and reject any disarmament.
Naim Qassem warned that disarming would strip Lebanon of defense and serve as a prelude to annihilation.
Naim Qassem praised Iran under Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei as a power that will defeat the U.S.-Israeli coalition.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Hezbollah’s call to overthrow the Lebanese government, saying it drags Lebanon into chaos.

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