Hezbollah chief says group will confront Israel ‘with full force’ and rejects surrender

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on Tuesday that the group would continue confronting Israel “with full force”, insisting that Hezbollah’s position is one of defence rather than surrender.

Speaking during an event marking the 33rd anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Education and Training Foundation, Qassem said Hezbollah and its armed wing, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, were facing an “existential aggression” aimed at eliminating the movement.

“The enemy occupies our land,” Qassem said. “This homeland belongs to us… and we will not accept relinquishing an inch of it while a segment of this nation is attacked.”

He argued that Western governments’ repeated references to Israel’s security were linked to broader ambitions. “When the West speaks of Israel’s security, they truly want a Greater Israel,” he said.

Qassem also addressed Lebanese officials, urging them not to pressure their own population. “Explain to them that you cannot pressure your own people because they have made so many sacrifices,” he said, reiterating: “For us, our position is one of defence, not surrender.”

He claimed that when Israeli forces are unable to target fighters, they instead strike civilians and civilian infrastructure. “When the enemy is unable to target the fighters, they resort to targeting civilians, homes and municipalities,” he said.

Rejecting calls to disarm, Qassem argued that disarmament demands were a prelude to eliminating Hezbollah’s presence, and urged continued resistance rather than surrender.

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