Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has issued a strong warning to Israel, pledging to take action if its occupation of southern Lebanon continues.
In an interview, Qassem stated that Hezbollah had upheld the ceasefire agreement, while Israel had repeatedly violated it by attacking civilians far from the border.
Qassem emphasized that if Israel’s occupation persists, it must be confronted by the Lebanese army, the people and the resistance.
He made it clear that while some may seek liberation through diplomacy, Hezbollah’s resistance would not stop and would continue to fight against Israeli aggression and occupation.
Hezbollah’s leadership also addressed the impact of the assassinations of former chiefs Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes last year.
Qassem mentioned that these losses led to significant changes within the organization and that security concerns had been addressed through investigations and accountability.
A fragile ceasefire, which was established in November 2024, has been marred by nearly 1,100 Israeli violations, resulting in the deaths of at least 85 people and injuries to more than 280.
The ceasefire was meant to ensure Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January 2025, but this deadline was extended due to Israel’s refusal to comply.
Despite the agreement, Israel still maintains a military presence at several border outposts, further fueling tensions.
With rising dissatisfaction over Israel’s actions and continued occupation, Hezbollah has made it clear that any further violations will be met with resistance.
