Hezbollah’s deputy chief Naim Qassem blasted U.S.-led calls for the terror group’s disarmament, calling them a direct service to Israel’s security goals as pressure mounts on Lebanon to strip the Iran‑backed militia of its arsenal.
In a defiant televised address on Wednesday, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem vowed the group would never hand over its weapons, accusing both the United States and Israel of orchestrating a campaign to weaken the Iran‑backed militant organization.
“Those who call for submitting arms practically demand submitting them to Israel… We will not submit to Israel,” Qassem declared, according to Reuters.
His fiery remarks come amid intensifying U.S. diplomatic pressure on the Lebanese government to commit to dismantling Hezbollah’s vast arsenal before any ceasefire with Israel can take effect. Multiple sources told Reuters that Washington has tied the demand to halting Israeli military operations in Lebanon — a condition Hezbollah has flatly rejected.
Heavy Losses, No Capitulation
Over the past year, Hezbollah has faced crippling battlefield setbacks:
- Thousands of fighters killed in clashes with Israel
- Extensive destruction of civilian areas under its control
- Israeli strikes continuing despite a November ceasefire due to Hezbollah rebuilding its military infrastructure
Yet, the group remains resolute. While some reports suggest Hezbollah may scale back parts of its arsenal, Qassem insists full disarmament is off the table.
“Those who call for disarmament on a domestic, global or Arab level serve the Israeli project,” he said, accusing the U.S. of specifically targeting Hezbollah’s drones and precision missiles because they “frighten Israel.”
Ceasefire Proposal on the Table
An earlier proposal floated in Beirut would have required Hezbollah to disarm within four months in exchange for:
- Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon
- End to Israeli airstrikes
But Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets, citing repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Qassem further accused U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Barrack of placing Israel’s security above Lebanon’s sovereignty, asserting:
“Israel will not be able to defeat us, and it will not be able to take Lebanon hostage.”
