Hezbollah Chief Says Israel Must Fully Withdraw from Lebanon

Sheikh Naim Qassem, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, affirmed that Lebanon and its Resistance, army, and people have entered a new phase titled "Breaking the Israeli Project." He stated that the project which sought over the past years to eliminate Hezbollah militarily, politically, culturally, socially, and humanly has failed. Qassem said: "We are now in a new phase in the history of Lebanon, its Resistance, its army, its people, and its future, a phase called 'Breaking the Israeli Project.' We can say that after all the attempts by the Israeli entity over the past two or three years, we have reached a stage where the project has been broken."

He emphasized that the battlefield was the essential factor in reaching this result, noting that the steadfastness of the Resistance and the sacrifices of its youth broke the Israeli project. Qassem also addressed political pressures during the war, stating that the Resistance did not yield to calls for surrender despite acknowledging Israeli military strength. He asserted that resistance is the only guarantee for liberating land and preserving independence and sovereignty.

Qassem highlighted that patience for 15 months was part of the strategy, not a retreat, and that Hezbollah chose the opportune moment to engage on March 2nd. He expressed gratitude to Iran for its support, noting that Iran refused to end the war against it without ending the war on Lebanon. He said: "We thank Iran, and we tell you that you are the most honorable people in the world."

Regarding the current ceasefire, Qassem stressed that Israel must fully withdraw from all Lebanese territories without keeping a single inch. He called for the implementation of five points: complete cessation of aggression, Israeli withdrawal, deployment of the Lebanese army, return of captives and residents, and reconstruction. He affirmed that the Resistance remains standing and ready, and that the political authority in Lebanon has a guarantee in the Resistance.

According to Mehr News, Qassem concluded that the Israeli aggression failed to achieve its goals and that the Resistance will continue to defend Lebanese rights.