"No Surrender": Hezbollah Leader Naim Qassem Vows to Turn South Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem issued a defiant written statement Tuesday morning, vowing that the terror organization will "neither surrender nor waive" its military campaign against Israel, regardless of the cost or duration.

The statement comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensify operations in Southern Lebanon, with the Golani Brigade reportedly establishing operational control over the strategic Litani River area.

Rejection of Direct Negotiations

In a direct challenge to the Lebanese government, Qassem called for an immediate end to direct negotiations with Israel. He characterized current diplomatic efforts as yielding "pure profits for Israel" and described them as "free concessions" by the Lebanese state.

Instead, Qassem pointed to a broader geopolitical solution:

He asserted that the "Iranian-American agreement," which includes an end to aggression against Lebanon, is the most viable path to stopping the conflict.
He outlined five "points of cooperation" for any ceasefire, including the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from "occupied territories," the release of prisoners, and the return of residents to their villages.
Notably, he mentioned the deployment of the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River, but only as part of a package that preserves Hezbollah's influence.

IDF operates near Litani River (Video: IDF Spokesperson)

The Future of the "Resistance" Weaponry

Qassem took a hardline stance on the international demand for Hezbollah to disarm. He insisted that the group's arsenal is a "purely internal Lebanese matter" and is not subject to negotiation with "the enemy."

"After Lebanon achieves its five points, it will arrange its internal situation within a national security strategy," Qassem stated, clarifying that the group intends to maintain its status as a "state within a state" even after any potential ceasefire.

Internal Lebanese Conflict Explodes

Qassem’s rhetoric has sparked a fierce backlash within Lebanon. President Joseph Aoun issued a scathing rebuttal, indirectly accusing Hezbollah of serving foreign interests. "Traitors are those who lead their country into war to serve foreign interests," Aoun stated, emphasizing his goal to end the war without reaching a "humiliating agreement" or abandoning direct talks.

On the Battlefield

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The IDF continues to report significant achievements in the North. Since the current operational phase began:

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz previously warned that Qassem is "playing with fire" and gambling with Lebanon's future, stressing that Israel will not accept any ceasefire that allows for continued fire on IDF forces or Galilee residents.