Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed on Sunday the group’s commitment to continuing its resistance against the Israeli occupation, maintaining Palestine as its compass, and prioritizing the liberation of the Lebanese occupied territories, while calling on Lebanon to suspend direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy and revert to indirect talks.
In a televised speech via Al-Manar TV on the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, Sheikh Qassem reassured, “We remain committed to the pledge,” Qassem said, declaring that Hezbollah’s leadership, fighters, and supporters would continue the path established by its great predecessors.
Hezbollah’s central ceremony marking the martyrdom anniversary of leaders Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine commences#SayyedNasrallah #Hezbollah pic.twitter.com/1BEPhA9aPH
— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) September 27, 2026
His Eminence highlighted that Hezbollah’s Shura Council had designated the period that began with the Battle of Uli al-Ba’s in September 2024 as the “We Shall Keep the Covenant” phase.
“To remain committed to the pledge means that we continue,” Qassem said. “When a leadership is martyred, another leadership takes its place and continues along the same path. When resistance fighters are martyred, others replace them, fight, continue, and carry the responsibility entrusted to them.”
Sheikh Qassem praised Sayyed Nasrallah as a leader who had become “a symbol for the free people of the world,” saying his teachings and legacy continued to guide Hezbollah. His Eminence also praised Safieddine’s decades of work within Hezbollah, particularly in its educational, health, organizational, and social institutions.
Tribute to Great Sacrifices
Sheikh Qassem paid tribute to Hezbollah commanders and fighters killed during the Battle of Uli al-Ba’s, as well as civilians, saying 3,400 people had been killed and 14,600 wounded. He named senior commanders killed during the conflict, including Sayyed Fouad Shukr, Haj Ibrahim Aqil, Haj Ali Karaki, Sayyed Suhail Husseini, and Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, as well as Brig. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan, who was martyred alongside Sayyed Nasrallah.
Sheikh Qassem also named five Hezbollah officials killed at Nasrallah’s headquarters on September 27: Ali Nayef Ayoub, Abdel Amir Mohammad Sblini, Ibrahim Hussein Jazini, Samir Tawfiq Dib, and Mohammad Habib Khaireddine.
Additionally, His Eminence paid tribute to those killed alongside Safieddine, including Hussein Ali Hazimi, Ali Mohammad Bahsoun, and Mahmoud Mohammad Shaheensaluting the “living martyrs” wounded in the pager attacks and praised families who had supported those killed and wounded.
“Lebanon Without Resistance Will Cease to Exist”
Addressing latest developments, Sheikh Qassem said Hezbollah had prevented the Israeli enemy from achieving what he described as its objectives of destroying the resistance, consolidating occupation, and establishing settlements in Lebanon.
“Israeli occupation forces, which he put at as many as 90,000 soldiers and officers, had failed to achieve those objectives despite extensive bombardment. The resistance halted the aggression’s project and prevented it from achieving its objectives,” His Eminence clarified.
Sheikh Qassem said Hezbollah’s battlefield strategy relied on maneuvering rather than permanently holding territory, citing fighting in Bint Jbeil, Khiam, Aita Al-Shaab, Naqoura, Bayyada, and Ali Al-Taher Heights. He said the resistance had inflicted losses on Israel while seeking to protect civilians and its areas, adding that the ultimate objective was liberation.
Sheikh Qassem rejected claims that Hezbollah was responsible for provoking Israeli attacks, saying the resistance had emerged because of aggression.
His Eminence warned that surrender to Israel would lead to the loss of Lebanon’s model of coexistence and facilitate Israeli settlements, resettlement, American tutelage, and what he called a broader “Greater Israel” project.
“If some people accept that, we reject it. We must agree and not relinquish a single square meter of the 10,452 square kilometers. Lebanon without resistance will cease to exist,” Sheikh Qassem added, saying the country could survive only through “its liberation, unity, and cooperation among its constituent groups.”
His Eminence also rejected demands that the Lebanese Army disarm Hezbollah, saying, “This army is a national army, and people in Lebanon resolve their affairs among themselves. You are not the ones who impose what you want.”
Framework Agreement: A Shameful Concession
Sheikh Qassem described Lebanon’s framework agreement with the Israeli occupation entity as a “shameful concession,” accusing the authorities of surrendering the country’s leverage and making concessions to the Israeli enemy.
He called for the negotiating process to be reviewed and corrected and for direct negotiations to be frozen in favor of indirect talks.
“We call for an end to concessions, and we call for a review and correction of the negotiating process. Freeze the direct talks and move to indirect talks. I do not know whether there is anything below zero. The result is below zero, not zero,” His Eminence added.
He said the president had the right to negotiate but could not violate the Constitution, the Taif Agreement, his oath of office, or the ministerial statement, nor surrender Lebanon’s right to defend its territory and pursue legal action against the occupier.
Sheikh Qassem said Hezbollah was prepared for dialogue but argued that the south should first be liberated and displaced residents allowed to return.
“If the Israeli entity withdraws today or tomorrow from a place, or puts forward a withdrawal plan, or accepts any action that results in a gain for Lebanon, this will be the result of the resistance, its steadfastness, the memorandum of understanding, and the Israeli entity’s inability—not the result of the negotiating agreement.”
Hezbollah to Announce Housing Initiative
Speaking of Hezbollah’s latest initiatives, Sheikh Qassem said the group would “very soon” announce its contribution to a housing project, including details of the initiative.
His Eminence asserted the group was committed to providing housing, rehabilitation, and reconstruction through its available resources and donations, while encouraging assistance from states and organizations. He held the Lebanese government responsible for reconstruction, compensation, and addressing the country’s deteriorating economic and living conditions.
“God willing, we will continue to follow up and pressure the authorities until they fulfill their duty.”
Sheikh Qassem also criticized the government’s handling of the economic crisis, rising living costs, the weakness of the Lebanese pound, public services, and depositors’ funds.
“Where is the electricity? We now have a Ministry of Darkness, not a Ministry of Energy. Is the government able to exercise exclusive authority over decisions of war and peace? Do you even have the ability to declare war or establish peace? You cannot do anything,” Sheikh Qassem inquired.
“Hezbollah was nevertheless ready for dialogue over the issue of weapons.”
“When you want, we are ready for dialogue and discussion. But liberate the South first, let the residents return, let the enemy leave, and then we can reach an understanding among ourselves,” His Eminence said, adding that the Lebanese citizens had the right to demonstrate and stage sit-ins over living conditions, housing, and reconstruction.
The Future Belongs to the Peoples of the Region
Sheikh Qassem affirmed the United States seeks global control, saying there was no longer an effective international system of justice or international law. He also pointed out that the Israeli enemy is still committing massacres in Gaza, where the death toll had reached 75,000 and the number of wounded 175,000.
“Where is this world that wants justice?” His Eminence asked.
Sheikh Qassem praised Iran and its leadership, security forces, and people, expressing hope that the country would continue to advance “under the leadership of Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba, may his shadow endure. “He also praised Palestine and said its people remained “the owners of the land,” adding that the occupier would remain only for a short time, God willing.
Hezbollah’s Sheikh Qassem saluted Ansarullah in Yemen and the Yemeni people, fighters, and officials for their support for Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, and other regional causes.
“The future belongs to the peoples of the region,” Qassem said. “It is not merely a local victory but a greater and broader victory. It requires patience.” His Eminence concluded by praying for steadfastness and victory.