Lebanonupdated 2h ago2 min read
Hezbollah’s Na'im Qasim Says Israel Must Withdraw From Southern Lebanon Before Talks
Israel must withdraw from southern Lebanon; withdrawal is the only solution. Liberation of southern Lebanon is near-term and Israel cannot remain.
Withdrawal as the condition
Hezbollah Secretary-General Na'im Qasim said the solution in Lebanon begins with the withdrawal of the occupation, and he declared that his party is ready to discuss arms exclusivity. Qasim linked any path forward to Israel leaving southern Lebanon, saying, "The solution begins with the enemy leaving defeated, along with the American who supports him with all his power to attack our region," during a speech at the launch ceremony of "The Foundation for Preserving and Publishing the Heritage of the Sayyid of the Nation, Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah."
Qasim said liberating southern Lebanon is a near-term goal and praised the steadfastness of the Lebanese resistance in facing Israeli and American aggression, describing it as a model of resilience despite challenges. Qasim also said Lebanon seeks to incorporate the political dimension into talks, emphasizing reciprocity and sequencing in agreements, while he said Israel continues its military operations in southern Lebanon and hinders negotiations.
Resistance and weapon talks
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hanin Nassir said the party would remain committed to the option of resistance as long as Israeli aggression continues, and he said the solution begins with Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territories. Nassir rejected linking Israel’s withdrawal to Hezbollah taking steps or making concessions in advance, stressing that the party "has nothing to offer" in light of what he described as the aggression on Lebanon and Israel’s non-compliance with agreements.
Naim Qassim said Hezbollah is ready to cooperate on internal issues within constitutional frameworks and laws, and he said the party is ready to discuss "weapons monopoly, economy, jobs, coexistence, and depositors’ funds" domestically. Qasim also insisted that Hezbollah does not see other solutions, while the Israeli occupation army continued Tuesday evening attacks in southern Lebanon using artillery shelling and machine guns.
Escalation and political stakes
Israeli occupation forces continued Tuesday evening attacks across southern Lebanon, including artillery shelling and machine guns, while field reporting described sweeps on the outskirts of al-Mansouriya and movements toward the al-Khazan area between Majdal Zoun and al-Mansouriya southeast of Tyre. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said the party adheres to the option of resistance as the only strategic approach to confront ongoing Israeli aggression, and he said the Israeli occupation will not be able to remain on Lebanese soil no matter how long the confrontation lasts.
Qassem rejected making concessions or preconditions in exchange for withdrawal, and he said the party "has nothing to offer" under ongoing aggression and Israel’s non-compliance with international agreements. Lebanon’s political debate remained centered on how to handle weapons and war-and-peace decision-making, with the Lebanese government approving a plan to confine weaponry to legitimate forces and tasking the army, while Hezbollah tied any discussion to constitutional frameworks and applicable laws.