Despite the strong language, Qassem stopped short of announcing direct retaliation and said Lebanon remains responsible for addressing Israeli actions through diplomatic channels.
However, he warned that “if Israel does not comply with the conditions and the government fails to achieve the desired outcome, we will have no choice but to consider other options.”
Qassem rejected any normalization with Israel and emphasized that Hezbollah would not tolerate an arrangement allowing Israel to operate freely in Lebanon. “Israel must withdraw unconditionally,” he said, adding that Lebanon’s reconstruction should proceed without preconditions.
“Israel will not get what it wants through pressure, whether by occupying the five disputed areas or through repeated strikes. We will not allow anyone to rob us of our lives, our land, our pride, our dignity and our national identity.”
IDF strikes Hezbollah drone storage facility in Beirut't Dahieh district in response to rocket fire toward northern Israel
(Video: Reuters)
Qassem’s comments were delivered during a speech marking Iran’s Quds Day, which had been postponed from Friday due to the Israeli strike in Dahieh.
He also addressed domestic Lebanese issues and regional tensions along the Syria-Lebanon border, denying Hezbollah’s involvement in recent clashes there. “We are partners in rebuilding the state,” he said. “Lebanon will rise with all its people. As for recent events on the Syrian border and inside Syria, Hezbollah has no connection to them.”
