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Naeem Qassem Affirms Military Capabilities Amidst Israeli Strikes
On Tuesday, Naeem Qassem, the Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, asserted that the military capabilities of the party are "in good shape" despite the intense airstrikes being carried out by Israel in Lebanon.
In a televised address, Qassem remarked, "You can see that our daily achievements are significant. Hundreds of rockets and dozens of drones... I want to assure you that our capabilities are fine, and what the enemy claims has damaged our resources is just an illusion."
He emphasized that Hezbollah's resources remain intact and that the organization is cohesive, noting that operations have increased and expanded. He mentioned that the support front in Lebanon has exhausted the enemy for eleven months and driven settlers from the north.
Qassem stated that the Israeli enemy has expanded its aggression on Lebanon, exploiting unlimited U.S. support, but insisted that Israel would not achieve its goals. He declared, "We will continue to confront them, and the entity is within the range of our missiles. Our capabilities are fine, and the enemy's talk of destroying us is false." He added, "The settlers will not return, and many more will be displaced."
He acknowledged the national unity displayed across various regions, contrasting it with the enemy's efforts to create internal divisions, stating, "There is a national rally around the resistance."
Qassem remarked that Lebanon has been targeted, and Netanyahu has repeatedly announced aspirations for a 'new Middle East,' asserting that Israel aims to subjugate the surrounding region and its peoples to its policies.
He announced that Hezbollah supports the political initiative led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to achieve a ceasefire, stating, "Any discussion does not concern us until the fire stops; we are people of the field... We are steadfast in the field and will not beg for a solution; you will hear the enemy's cries."
He reiterated that the leadership, control, and management of the party and the resistance are meticulously organized, asserting, "We have surpassed the strikes." He added, "Whatever the leaders who fell had, there are copies with their assistants and successors, and we will elect a new secretary-general according to organizational mechanisms and will announce it in due time."
Qassem affirmed, "We do not fear Israeli pressure," stating, "I cannot describe our status without Sayyed Nasrallah."
He described the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation as an extraordinary event that could be considered the beginning of a change in the Middle East, while also asserting that Hezbollah is not involved in any discussions before a ceasefire.
He stated, "This great confrontation is blessed and is a proper path for change," pointing out that "the goal of the occupation was to completely end the resistance and annihilate the Palestinian people, rendering them incapable of generating resistance and demanding their rights."
Qassem asserted that "without American support, the Israeli aggression would have stopped within a month." He continued, "The United States and parts of Europe are complicit in all the crimes committed by the Israeli enemy." He emphasized that "the resistance in Gaza has endured for a whole year and is capable of enduring further; the Palestinian people cannot be defeated, no matter how long it takes. The resistance in Gaza is legendary, and the Palestinian people have proven that they cannot be defeated and are worthy of liberation."
He clarified that the struggle is not about Iranian influence, as portrayed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but rather a fight to assist Palestinians in liberating their land.
Finally, Qassem mentioned that Iran decides how to support the resistance and has demonstrated its determination to back it.
