Beirut: Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem announced on Wednesday that the group will not relinquish its weapons, describing disarmament as an 'internal Lebanese matter.' He emphasized that the decision to maintain arms was not influenced by any external pressures, including those from Israel.

According to Anadolu Agency, Qassem made it clear in a televised address that linking disarmament to a ceasefire agreement is misguided. He stated, "Weapons are a Lebanese internal matter and have nothing to do with the Israeli enemy," firmly asserting the group's stance against surrendering arms for what he termed as the benefit of Israel. Instead, Qassem highlighted that Lebanon's immediate priorities should be reconstruction and ending ongoing aggression.

The Hezbollah leader also criticized the notion that Lebanon should be the sole party adhering to the ceasefire, pointing out the continued aggression from Israel. He accused Israel of using its military presence in five occupied locations as a strategy for further territorial expansion.

The context of Qassem's remarks comes amid ongoing discussions within the Lebanese government. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam indicated that the government would continue deliberations on asserting state control over all territories, a move interpreted as urging Hezbollah's disarmament. This stance is echoed by US envoy Thomas Barrack, who recently urged the Lebanese government to consolidate all arms under its jurisdiction.

The backdrop of these developments lies in the conflict that erupted following Israeli military operations in Lebanon in October 2023, which escalated into a war by September 2024, causing extensive casualties and injuries. Although a ceasefire was agreed upon in November, Israeli forces have continued operations, citing Hezbollah activities as justification. The truce stipulated Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January 26, but compliance has been delayed, with Israel maintaining military outposts at the border.