Hezbollah Vows to Uphold Ceasefire Amidst Alleged Israeli Breaches
Hezbollah's Secretary General has affirmed the Lebanese resistance movement's steadfast commitment to the November 27 ceasefire agreement with Israel, despite frequent violations by the Tel Aviv regime.
In a televised address from Beirut on Monday evening, Sheikh Naim Qassem asserted that while there have been no breaches of the ceasefire agreement on their part, the Israeli side has violated it over 3,000 times.
He urged the Lebanese authorities to swiftly take action, emphasizing that the onus is on state officials to ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement. This involves pressing the United States and France, as guarantors of the ceasefire, to pressure Israel into halting its attacks immediately.
He highlighted the continuous Israeli assaults on Lebanon, asserting that the recent airstrike on a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut was conducted with the approval and backing of the United States.
Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the United States holds significant interests in Lebanon and must understand that these interests could be at risk should Lebanon’s stability be compromised.
The leader of Hezbollah accused Washington of supplying the Tel Aviv regime with justifications for further aggressive actions against the Arab nation.
He urged the Lebanese government to address the United Nations with a formal letter, to summon U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Lisa Johnson, and to utilize every available platform to highlight the consequences of Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Israel aims to undermine Lebanon by maintaining its aggressive actions, ongoing occupation, and exerting political pressure, according to Sheikh Qassem. He emphasized that Lebanon’s resilience lies in its resistance front, armed forces, and its people.
The leader of Hezbollah stated that Israel aims to exert control over Lebanon, establish settlements within Lebanese territory, and weaken the nation. He argued that those who refute this claim must provide an explanation for the prolonged presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon for 18 years, which only ended due to the persistent efforts of resistance fighters.
He emphasized that Lebanon’s strength will be sustained through the unity of its resistance front, military, and various sectors of society, asserting that the Lebanese populace remains committed to enhancing their defense capabilities.
Sheikh Qassem called on the Lebanese people to maintain their optimism, highlighting the precarious position of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He noted that Netanyahu has caused the loss of many lives without managing to reach his goals.
He proceeded to delineate the three primary objectives for Lebanon during this crucial period, stating, “The foremost priority is to halt Israeli aggression, guarantee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and ensure the liberation of prisoners.”
He further criticized the government’s procrastination in addressing national reconstruction efforts, stating, “The second priority is reconstruction, and the government’s plans for this have experienced significant delays.”
Sheikh Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah is providing aid to internally displaced individuals in Lebanon, currently sheltering 50,755 people whose homes were entirely demolished following Israeli attacks. Additionally, the organization has repaired 332,000 residential structures.
He emphasized that the third priority involves state-building, highlighting the central task of pursuing the path towards the consolidation, stabilization, and sustainable development of the nation.
Sheikh Qassem commended the perseverance of the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing that their remarkable resilience serves as a significant barrier to the objectives of their adversaries and lays the groundwork for eventual victory.
He expressed his profound condolences to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Iranian leadership, and its people following the tragic explosion in Bandar Abbas, a southwestern port city in Iran, on Saturday. The calamity resulted in the deaths of at least 70 individuals and left more than 1,000 others injured.
The leader of Hezbollah extended heartfelt condolences to Christians globally following the passing of Pope Francis.
