Speech by Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem on March 4, 2026, following the resumption of military operations against Israel.

Source: https://naimkassem.com.lb

Translation: resistancenews.com

  • Introduction
  • 15 Months of Israeli Aggression Against Lebanon and Unilateral Concessions
  • Hezbollah’s Response and Israel’s Plans
  • Hezbollah’s Objectives
  • Conclusion

Introduction

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds. May prayers and peace be upon the noblest of beings, our Master and Prophet Muhammad, upon the pure and immaculate members of his family, upon his virtuous and chosen companions, and upon all the prophets and the righteous until the Day of Judgment. May the peace of God be upon you, as well as His mercy and blessings.

The blessed month of Ramadan is the month of mercy and forgiveness. I ask Almighty God to accept our deeds and make us among those who excel in their fasting, their night prayers, their acts of worship, and their works. God willing, we shall be among those whose deeds are accepted.

15 Months of Israeli Aggression Against Lebanon and Unilateral Concessions

The polytheists have disturbed its atmosphere and committed a grave aggression. For one year and three months, the Israeli and American enemy has continued its aggression. The ceasefire agreement of November 27, 2024, marked a new phase. We committed ourselves, alongside the Lebanese state, to respecting this agreement, and we have honored our commitment. Israel, however, has not respected a single article of it.

We accepted the diplomatic path, but it has yielded absolutely nothing in fifteen months. We did not respond to repeated Israeli attacks so as not to be accused of obstructing diplomatic efforts, and because responsibility lies with the state. We regarded this as an opportunity for the state to assume its responsibilities; this option was tested through the concrete implementation of the agreement and the protection of Lebanon and its sovereignty.

We have repeatedly stated that our patience has limits, and we have also said that the state must be more active and that the Lebanese people must see tangible results. I will not evaluate the state’s performance; I will simply say that our patience has limits and that the Israeli enemy has gone too far.

We were told that completing the army’s deployment south of the Litani River would help. We were asked to be patient, because this deployment might pave the way for ending the aggression and securing an Israeli withdrawal. That has not happened.

We have said and repeated in our speeches and statements that Israel seeks expansion and will not be satisfied with what it has already obtained; that all measures taken have been taken solely on the Lebanese side; and that Israel will take no measure that might hinder its expansionist project. They themselves have declared this. Netanyahu has stated that he seeks a “Greater Israel”: listen to him boast and openly proclaim before the entire world his ambition for a “Greater Israel.” The U.S. ambassador to the Israeli entity supports him when he asserts that the rightful extent of the State of Israel stretches from the Euphrates to the Nile.

Israel represents an existential threat to us, to our people, to our homeland, and to the entire region.

As though ears were deaf, the only demand that remains in Lebanon, under pressure from international and Arab “friends,” is that of the monopoly on weapons [in the hands of the state, implying the disarmament of Hezbollah]. Is that truly the problem? The problem lies in the occupation — not within the country, not in the weapons, not in the Resistance, nor in the national components. The problem lies in the permanent violation of sovereignty and in the Israeli-American occupation of Lebanon, in its airspace as well as on its territory.

The decisions taken on August 5 and 7 by the Lebanese government [a plan to disarm the militias] constituted a grave mistake: they weakened the position of the Lebanese state and legitimized Israel’s freedom to carry out aggression.

Subsequently, concessions continued at the pace of ongoing aggression, as if the latter were exerting direct pressure to push forward diplomatic and political measures that would leave Lebanon without leverage, negotiating with no real capacity, and embarking on a path entirely incompatible with its sovereignty and independence.

It is our duty to do everything in our power to put an end to this dangerous trajectory of continued Israeli-American aggression, which will inevitably lead Lebanon to the confiscation of its national sovereignty and the imposition of submission and capitulation.

God Almighty said: “Permission [to fight] is given to those against whom war is made, because they are wronged—and God has power to help them—those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly, only because they said, ‘Our Lord is God.’ And if it were not that God checks one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated in abundance. God will certainly aid those who aid His (cause); for verily God is full of strength, exalted in might.” [Quran]

To those who question the timing, who ask why we chose this particular moment, I say: must we wait indefinitely? We have always said that everything has a limit. Are fifteen long months of daily violations not enough? Is it not enough that around five hundred martyrs have fallen during these fifteen months — an average of one martyr per day — with the Israelis arranging the situation so that each day brings one martyr, two wounded, and destroyed homes and dwellings?

According to statistics cited by the United Nations and the Lebanese army, there have been more than ten thousand violations by land, sea, and air. Normally, when there are two, three, or four violations, someone is summoned to discuss them; but despite ten thousand violations, our calls for action fell on deaf ears.

Israel has razed far more houses and land in the border area and border villages than it managed during the Battle of the Mighty Ones (the September-November 2024 war). Israel has abducted citizens in different regions of Lebanon. This demonstrates that it takes no account of anything and seeks to show that it is capable of killing, destroying, kidnapping, and imposing its political decisions on Lebanon, as well as exterminating anyone it considers a potential resister or opponent.

Hezbollah’s Response and Israel’s Plans

The firing of rockets in a single salvo is a response to Israeli-American aggression against our country — and that is the essence of the matter. They claim that these rockets caused the Israeli attack and ensuing battle: this is completely false. These rockets are a response to fifteen months of violations, including all I have mentioned, and a response to Israel’s desecration of everything that concerns us, including the attack against the great religious authority, the Wali, the Imam, Sayyid Khamenei, may his soul be sanctified.

This is therefore a response to ongoing confrontation and aggression.

We intended for this barrage of rockets to be a serious measure to dispel any illusion that this enemy, if left alone, would remain silent. This is not true. The proof that this illusion is false is that this simple barrage of rockets was enough to make Israel start a war. Do you think a salvo of rockets justifies a war? No.

During this period, spanning thirty-six to forty-eight hours, the number of martyrs exceeded forty, and the number of wounded exceeded 250. Civilians — men, women, and children — were killed in their homes, and buildings were destroyed across various areas, all before the eyes of the world.

Israel forcibly evacuated more than 85 villages and localities it had specifically designated. It destroyed property and demolished the centers of Al-Qard al-Hassan, a social financial institution serving the population, from which the needy and the poor borrow money. Its social character is evident to the whole world, and hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, of all faiths, religions, and regions, benefit from it.

Israel also targeted Al-Manar TV and Al-Nour Radio: this is an attack on media outlets. So where are the dangers they claim? All they have to do is assert that it serves the Resistance, or that a particular house is linked to the Resistance’s infrastructure. All these allegations are worthless. They are waging a war of extermination; they are targeting existence itself.

So what Israel did after the rocket barrage was not a response, but a premeditated attack. Read the Israeli media and the statements of certain officials: they prepared this attack, prepared the targets, and have 100,000 reservists ready for mobilization, dedicated to the northern front. In reality, they are ready; the only difference is the timing—today or tomorrow. They judged the situation favorable. The aggression was therefore prepared; it is not a response to the rockets. What happened is not a response to a rocket barrage: this aggression is now recognized worldwide as an integral part of Israel’s plan for Lebanon.

I have already mentioned in a previous speech that the mediators informed us about a month before the war against Iran. They said: “We have a question: will Hezbollah intervene if war breaks out against Iran?” We replied, “Why do you ask?” They answered: “There are Israeli statements circulating that if Hezbollah does not intervene now, they will not carry out operations against Hezbollah.” The questioner then asked: “Does this mean that once Iran is neutralized, they will carry out operations against Hezbollah?” They replied: “That is only natural—against Hezbollah, against Lebanon, against the Resistance, and against this stance.”

In reality, it is not that the Israelis have abandoned the idea of attacking Lebanon. No. They are merely organizing their priorities: attacking Lebanon first, Iran first, or both together. It appeared they would attack Iran first, thus giving Lebanon some time. This is the timetable they have chosen, and they were in the preparation phase.

Instead of condemning the Israeli-American aggression and seeking ways to confront it, the Lebanese government turned to the Resistance to persist in its mistake and align with Israeli demands. Strange behavior! These are the children of your country; these villages are Lebanese villages. You are a government responsible for Lebanon, not charged with implementing Israeli-American decisions.

What is your comment on this large-scale aggression? To ask, “Why did you launch this rocket barrage?” Get out of this reasoning: that is not the cause. The cause is the continuation of the aggression; the cause is the existence of a plan to carry out precisely the aggression they have executed.

Hezbollah’s objectives

(First), let it be clear that as long as the occupation persists, the Resistance and its weapons are a legitimate right—humanly, legally, and internationally—in accordance with the Taif Agreement, all divine laws, as well as [President Joseph Aoun’s] inauguration speech and the government statement, because the confrontation must occur in an appropriate manner.

I say here: the question of the Resistance and its weapons is not a matter of debate for anyone, nor with anyone; it is a legitimate right. Hezbollah and its Islamic Resistance respond to Israeli-American aggression, and this is a legitimate right. Israel’s plan for occupation and expansion is clear. We will confront aggression through the legitimate defense of the people, the Resistance, and the homeland—an existential defense for us—which will continue until our objectives are achieved.

They wanted a battle they could wage to the bitter end. But our choice is to confront them to the ultimate sacrifice, to the bitter end. We will not surrender. We defend with our means and our faith, whatever the sacrifices, despite the inequality of capabilities. We are determined to continue our defense, to thwart the objectives of this Israeli-American enemy, and to remain firm in rejecting the enemy’s plans, so that history will record that we did not hesitate to uphold our right, that we did not submit to our enemy, and that we left the horizon open to one of two favorable outcomes (victory or martyrdom).

We are the sons of the Master of the Martyrs of the nation, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, may God be pleased with him, who gave the noblest and highest example. We cannot betray this trust; we can only remain on this path—the path of Sayyid al-Hashimi (Hashim Safi al-Din), of the martyrs, of the leaders, of Sayed Abbas, of Sheikh Ragheb, of the wounded and the prisoners. All this is a trust entrusted to us; such is our faith. Let everyone know that we are steadfast and that we will continue.

Secondly, it is the government’s duty to work toward restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty, to stand as protector of its people, and to defend the right to Resistance until the aggression ceases and the enemy withdraws from our land and our homeland, while faithfully assuming its responsibilities toward all citizens.

Thirdly, the forced displacement imposed by the Israeli enemy aims to create a rift between the Resistance and the population. But the people know that this displacement results from aggression and its dangerous objectives. These people are our fathers, our sons, our families—the families of martyrs, the wounded, and prisoners. No one can create a rift between us. They are people of honor and dignity, people of sacrifice and merit; they are the crown upon our heads.

We and our families, we and you, are in the same trench. It is our steadfast cohesion that has shattered the objectives of Israeli-American aggression; it was our cohesion that shattered them during the Battle of the Mighty Ones.

O dear and honorable members of our people, it pains us to see you facing aggression and exile in this blessed month. Yet you are those who fast, who are patient, and who hope for your reward from God Almighty; you are people of faith and determination. Certainly, the enemy causes us all to suffer. But we will make him suffer by fulfilling our duty, by entrusting ourselves to our Lord and the arms of our fighters, and by remembering the words of the Most High: “And slacken not in following up the enemy: If ye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships; but ye have Hope from Allah, while they have none. And God is full of knowledge and wisdom.” [Quran] We hope from God what they do not hope for, and this is of paramount importance for the future of the confrontation.

Fourth, through its occupation of Lebanon, Israel is killing human beings and destroying material goods indiscriminately in all regions of the country. This is an aggression against Lebanon as a whole, and all Lebanese bear the responsibility of confronting it.

We emphasize the importance of national unity, particularly in the present circumstances. It is essential to mobilize all energies, all capacities, and all political and religious forces in the various regions, as well as individual resources, in this battle that Lebanon is waging against the Israeli enemy. Let us unite to make the confrontation with this enemy our priority; then we will debate our other issues and reach agreement on them.

Fifth, we are fighting in Lebanon to defend our people, the future of our children, and our homeland against the direct attacks targeting us and our country. This fight is not linked to any other battle. What we seek is an end to Israeli-American aggression and Israeli withdrawal. That is our goal.

Sixth, the reception and accommodation of displaced persons at this stage is a national responsibility that requires everyone’s cooperation. The government, its official institutions, and the various ministries are responsible for receiving these displaced Lebanese citizens and must provide them with all necessary services. For our part, within Hezbollah, we will also assume our responsibility toward our loved ones and our people, and we will make every effort possible.

We also call on all civil authorities, the inhabitants of our homeland in the various regions of Lebanon, political parties, political forces, associations, institutions, religious authorities, and all concerned parties to contribute to this important social action. In truth, past experience has shown us that you are all capable of this, and, God willing, it will be renewed as a great manifestation of patriotic commitment.

Seventh, opponents of the Resistance now have the opportunity to open a new page with us. Do not stab the Resistance in the back during times of confrontation and war: this will contribute to the success of the confrontation and accelerate its results in order to put an end to Israeli-American aggression. If you want Lebanon to survive, be united, form a single front that makes the task easier for everyone, and cooperate together.

Conclusion

I ask God Almighty to make this blessed month a time of blessing, victory, and success. Know that ultimately we are fulfilling our duty and that we put our trust in God. God willing, we will be victorious on the path to one of two happy outcomes—victory or martyrdom. We do not fear this confrontation, and, God willing, it will be beneficial for all of Lebanon and for the Ummah.

May the peace of God be upon you, as well as His mercy and blessings.

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