Beirut: Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated on Saturday that Hezbollah would not lay down its arms while Israel continued its attacks on southern Lebanon.
According to Anadolu Agency, Qassem emphasized that a ceasefire with Israel would place certain responsibilities on the Lebanese state, but Hezbollah remained prepared to confront Israel's ongoing aggressions.
"Who in their right mind would give up their power? We will not give up our power while Israel continues its attacks," Qassem declared during a speech in Dahieh, located south of Beirut. He criticized Israel's actions targeting civilians in Nabatieh as unacceptable and urged the state to take necessary measures to address the situation.
Qassem affirmed that the Lebanese resistance group would not remain passive in the face of such attacks. "Do you think we will remain silent forever? That is not true. You have already tried us, and we have no choice but our honor," he stated.
Hezbollah has consistently maintained that it will not surrender its weapons, viewing them as integral to national sovereignty. Despite calls from Lebanese political figures such as Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and Christian Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea for weapons to be solely under state control, Hezbollah stands firm in its stance.
Israeli military forces have continued near-daily operations in southern Lebanon, citing Hezbollah's activities as their target, despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon reached in November. This truce was intended to end months of cross-border conflict between Israel and the Lebanese resistance group.
Lebanese authorities have documented nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which have resulted in at least 224 deaths and over 500 injuries since the agreement was established. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel was obligated to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26. However, the deadline was extended to February 18 due to Tel Aviv's refusal to comply, with Israel maintaining a military presence at five border outposts.