31 July 2025
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has firmly rejected mounting domestic and international calls for the group to surrender its weapons, declaring that Hezbollah’s arsenal is an internal Lebanese matter and a vital part of the country’s defense against Israel.
In a televised speech on Wednesday, Qassem responded to suggestions that Hezbollah’s disarmament be tied to the November 2024 ceasefire, stating: “Weapons are not part of any deal with the Israeli enemy, they are a Lebanese affair.
These weapons are for resisting Israel, not for domestic conflict, and they represent a source of strength for Lebanon.”
Qassem warned that calls to disarm Hezbollah essentially serve Israeli interests. “We will not hand over our weapons to Israel.
Those calling for this are asking us to disarm for Israel’s benefit,” he said. Referring to recent U.S. pressure, he added: “America says hand over the missiles and drones. Barak says these weapons scare Israel. Clearly, the objective is Israeli security, not Lebanese stability.”
Underscoring Hezbollah’s continued defiance, Qassem declared, “If we are all killed, Israel will still fail to defeat us. As long as one soul remains, Lebanon will not be taken hostage by Israel.”
He also warned that the real threat to Lebanon is ongoing Israeli aggression: “The priority is not disarmament—it is reconstruction and ending the aggression. Any call to surrender our weapons while under attack is a call to disarm Lebanon in front of its enemy.”
Qassem’s remarks come amid growing pressure within Lebanon’s political circles.
Source:albawaba
