NP
Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem has rejected growing calls,mainly from the U.S.—to disarm the group, saying such demands only benefit Israel. Speaking on the anniversary of commander Fuad Shukr’s killing by Israel, Qassem stated, “Disarming Hezbollah means surrendering to Israel—we will not do that.”
The U.S. has reportedly been pressuring Lebanon to formally commit to Hezbollah’s disarmament as a condition for halting Israeli military operations. Under a ceasefire agreed last November, Hezbollah was to withdraw north of the Litani River, leaving southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers. However, Israeli strikes and troop presence continue.
Qassem warned that calls to hand over Hezbollah’s arsenal—especially missiles and drones—are being pushed for Israel’s benefit, not Lebanon’s security. He insisted that Hezbollah’s weapons are a national matter, unrelated to Israel, and reaffirmed that the group will only consider disarmament if Israel halts its aggression and withdraws from Lebanese territory.
A cabinet meeting is set for next week in Beirut to address national sovereignty, the ceasefire, and possibly the disarmament proposal reportedly backed by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack.
