Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared on Sunday that the group will not surrender or lay down its arms in response to Israeli threats. Addressing thousands of supporters during the Ashura commemoration in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Qassem said, “This threat will not make us accept surrender.”Qassem, who succeeded the late Hassan Nasrallah after he was killed by Israel last September, stated that Hezbollah fighters will retain their weapons until Israel ends what he called its “aggression.”His comments come amid ongoing pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanese officials have said they are working to dismantle the group’s military positions in southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border.A ceasefire agreed upon last November required Hezbollah to move its fighters north of the Litani River, while Israel was to withdraw troops from Lebanese territory. However, Israel has maintained its presence at five strategic points. Despite the truce, Israeli airstrikes have continued in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah targets and accusing Beirut of failing to act.Qassem said Israel must meet its obligations under the ceasefire—withdraw from Lebanese land, halt its attacks, release prisoners from last year’s conflict, and support Lebanon’s reconstruction—before any national security discussions can take place. He also rejected talk of normalising ties after an Israeli official floated the idea.On Monday, US envoy Tom Barrack is expected to visit Beirut.During the Ashura procession, Hezbollah supporters marched in black through the capital’s southern districts, waving Hezbollah, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Iranian flags. Many held posters of the slain leader Hassan Nasrallah.Lebanon’s government has remained silent on the suggestion of normalisation. Syria, which was also mentioned by Israel’s foreign minister, said it was “premature” to discuss such a step.
