Hezbollah Leader Naim Qassem Rejects Disarmament on Resistance Day

In a televised address on Resistance and Liberation Day, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected proposals for the group to disarm. He said disarmament would strip Lebanon of its defensive capability and amount to extermination. Qassem warned that without weapons Israel could commit genocide in Lebanon and called for Israeli withdrawal, deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani, return of Hezbollah prisoners and reconstruction. He dismissed direct talks with Jerusalem and urged the Lebanese government to step aside if it cannot secure sovereignty.

The Jerusalem PostHezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naeem Qassem States Organization Will Retain WeaponsIran to Emerge Victorious in Imposed War: HezbollahHezbollah chief says disarmament would amount to Lebanon’s ‘annihilation’

The holiday marks the Israeli Defence Forces’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon on 25 May 2000, which Hezbollah portrays as the first Arab-region liberation without Israeli agreement. The day is used to celebrate its armed resistance narrative.

The Jerusalem Post

Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, invoked founder Hassan Nasrallah’s legacy. He described Iran as an “exceptional power” poised to triumph over a U.S.–Israeli coalition and denounced the United States as an unreliable mediator serving Israeli interests.

Iran to Emerge Victorious in Imposed War: Hezbollah

A poll by Information International for Al Jadeed found 58 % of Lebanese support disarming Hezbollah, 34 % oppose. Support is highest among Orthodox Christians (89 %), Maronites (87 %), Druze (77 %) and Sunni Muslims (70 %). 88 % of Shiite respondents oppose it. The survey showed majorities of Druze (84 %) and Christians (77-72 %) favor peace talks with Israel, while only 30 % back full normalization.

Majority of Lebanese favor disarming Hezbollah, support peace talks with Israel – pollIran to Emerge Victorious in Imposed War: HezbollahThe Jerusalem PostHezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naeem Qassem States Organization Will Retain Weapons

The Lebanese health ministry reported 3,151 deaths and 9,571 injuries since clashes reignited on 2 March 2024. Qassem claimed Israeli forces have suffered “real losses” and that Hezbollah’s drones have left Israel “dizzy.” He also accused Israel of repeatedly violating the November 2024 ceasefire.

Hezbollah chief says disarmament would amount to Lebanon’s ‘annihilation’The Jerusalem PostIran to Emerge Victorious in Imposed War: HezbollahHezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naeem Qassem States Organization Will Retain Weapons

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio condemned Hezbollah’s call to overthrow the Lebanese government, saying the group has ignored repeated pleas to cease attacks and drags Lebanon into chaos. Poll’s sectarian split shows domestic opposition to Qassem’s stance, with most Shiite Lebanese rejecting disarmament while other communities support it.

The Jerusalem Post

Qassem listed several IDF officers as killed in recent strikes, whereas the Israeli Defence Forces reported those individuals were only injured. Independent verification of casualty figures and the extent of Israeli losses claimed by Hezbollah remains unavailable.

Hezbollah chief says disarmament would amount to Lebanon’s ‘annihilation’

• “Disarmament is extermination, and this is something we cannot accept,” — Naim Qassem, Hezbollah Secretary-General

The Jerusalem Post

• “There is no such thing as exclusivity of weapons or disarming Hezbollah,” — Naim Qassem

The Jerusalem Post

• “Iran alone stands against the world's tyrannical and great power,” — Naim Qassem

Iran to Emerge Victorious in Imposed War: Hezbollah

• “Hezbollah has ignored repeated calls from the legitimate Government of Lebanon to cease its attacks and respect a ceasefire," Rubio stated.” — Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator

The Jerusalem Post