Key points from the speech of Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem on the occasion of International Quds Day

We will remain, as Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance, alongside Palestine, supporting it until full liberation is achieved.

In Lebanon, we are engaged in a legitimate defensive battle against brutal Israeli aggression that poses an existential threat.

What we have faced over the past 15 months has not been a normal situation, but a continuous and barbaric campaign.

We warned repeatedly that the opportunity for restraint would not last forever and that patience has its limits.

On three occasions, the leadership met to consider responding to the aggression, but the timing was deemed inappropriate and additional opportunities were given to the political track.

Several parties contacted us urging that more time be given to political efforts.

In the past month, Israeli discussions focused on carrying out a major action against Lebanon, with debate mainly about the timing.

After the attack on Iran and the martyrdom of Imam Khamenei, we concluded that the circumstances had become suitable to confront the enemy.

The enemy had been attacking for 15 months and appeared unwilling to stop; our leader had been killed; and developments linked to Iran created a moment that could weaken the enemy.

Some say we provoked the enemy with our barrage, but were the martyrs, the wounded and the prisoners not a provocation?
We consider ourselves acting within the right of legitimate self-defense in what we call the “Battle of Al-Asf Al-Ma’koul” (Devoured Chaff) in defense of Lebanon against Israel.

The name of the operation is inspired by Surah Al-Fil in the Holy Qur’an.
The Lebanese government has been unable to achieve sovereignty or protect its citizens.

Israel has resorted to the widespread destruction of homes and the displacement of entire cities under the pretext of targeting resistance fighters, effectively destroying civilian life.

There is no solution except resistance; otherwise Lebanon risks disappearing.

We have drawn lessons from the “Battle of Uli Al-Ba’s.”

The enemy today does not have the ability to achieve its objectives.

We have prepared ourselves for a long confrontation; the enemy will be surprised on the battlefield and its threats do not frighten us.

Hezbollah fighters are ready for martyrdom and prepared for direct close combat with the enemy.
Your message has reached me, O fighters—you are the salt of the earth.

Defeat and surrender do not exist in our vocabulary; we will remain strong on the battlefield regardless of the sacrifices required.

We will not retreat, because this is an existential battle, not a limited confrontation.

We call on the Lebanese government to stop making free concessions, as this only prolongs the war.

The battlefield will now determine the outcome.

Our strength comes from three things: faith in God, commitment to justice, and the will and capabilities we have prepared.

When the enemy kills civilians, it seeks to distance people from the resistance, but it will not succeed.

The people who support the resistance project and have sacrificed their sons for it are people of dignity, honor and pride.

The displaced and refugees are also contributing through their sacrifices; they endure with faith and patience as part of this struggle.

Addressing Benjamin Netanyahu: Imam Ali said, “Death is a sufficient guardian,” so your threats to assassinate me are meaningless. You are the one who should fear for yourself.

Israeli and American aggression is the cause of what is happening in Lebanon; the resistance is a reaction.
Without the resistance over the past forty years, Lebanon would not have survived.

Israeli-American aggression undermines stability and security and leaves Lebanon with two choices: surrender or the continuation of resistance.