Hezbollah Secretary-General: Our victory today is greater than July 2006
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem considered, in his first speech after the ceasefire, that Lebanon today is facing a great victory that surpasses the victory of the July 2006 war, stressing that the ceasefire decision came from a position of strength and under fire, considering that the agreement isn’t a permanent treaty but rather a framework for implementing measures related to Resolution 1701.
“Hezbollah has repeatedly stressed since October 8 that it doesn’t seek war, but is committed to supporting the Gaza Strip and is prepared to confront the occupation if war is imposed on it,” Qassem said, explaining that the recent Israeli aggression was extremely dangerous, as it put Hezbollah in a state of confusion that lasted for ten days.
However, Qassem stressed that Hezbollah was able to regain its strength and form a new command and control system, which enabled it to stand firmly on the front and continue the confrontation.
Qassem pointed out that “We began targeting the Israeli home front, causing heavy losses and a large wave of displacement, as the number of displaced Israelis rose to hundreds of thousands instead of just 70,000”.
He described “the resistance fighters’ steadfastness as legendary,” stressing that it “instilled despair in the ranks of the Israeli army and politicians”.
He added that Hezbollah agreed to the agreement and our heads are held high, noting that “Lebanese sovereignty formed the basis of the understanding, while emphasizing Lebanon’s right to defend its territories.
He also described the current situation in Israel as one surrounded by defeat and losses on all sides.
He stressed that the coordination between the resistance and the Lebanese army will be at a high level to ensure the implementation of the commitments, praising the Lebanese army as a national army, adding, “We’ll follow up with our people on the reconstruction process and we have the appropriate mechanisms and we will cooperate with the state”.
He pointed out that Hezbollah’s support for Palestine is ongoing and won’t stop, and will take different forms and will continue in appropriate ways.
Qassem stressed the importance of completing the constitutional institutions in Lebanon, most notably the election of a president of the republic within the specified constitutional deadlines.
He stressed that Hezbollah is committed to cooperation and dialogue with all forces that want to build a united Lebanon within the framework of the Taif Agreement.
Qassem also stressed, “Our commitment to preserving national unity and strengthening Lebanon’s defensive capabilities, affirming its readiness to prevent any attempts by Israel to weaken the country”.
