Qassem Says Hezbollah Prepared for Peace or War

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, delivered a televised address on Sunday marking the final day of Ashoura, in which he reaffirmed the group’s commitment to armed resistance and rejected any form of normalization with Israel. Speaking from Beirut, Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah would not compromise on its principles or legitimacy by recognizing what he referred to as occupation within Lebanese borders.

Qassem asserted that any discussions on Lebanon’s national defense strategy would only take place after specific conditions are fulfilled. He outlined these as Israel fully implementing the terms of an existing ceasefire agreement, withdrawing from remaining occupied Lebanese territory, ceasing military aggression, and allowing reconstruction efforts in the affected areas. He stressed that only once these criteria are met would Hezbollah consider participating in broader dialogue concerning national security.

Responding to recent calls from international actors, particularly the United States, Qassem rejected the notion that Lebanon must choose between submission and continued conflict. He described this framing as irrelevant to Hezbollah’s position, stating that the group would maintain its rights without surrendering. He reaffirmed Hezbollah’s readiness to pursue peace and rebuild the country, but also made clear its preparedness to engage in confrontation if necessary.

Framing his message within the wider political context, Qassem pointed to the importance of sovereignty and self-determination. He declared that Hezbollah has the flexibility to reach national consensus but would not tolerate pressure aimed at undermining Lebanese dignity or rights. His comments follow a period of renewed diplomatic activity and heightened tensions along Lebanon’s southern border.

The speech comes several months after a ceasefire agreement ended a period of intense conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Despite the agreement, intermittent hostilities and the continued presence of Israeli forces in certain disputed areas have prevented any substantial de-escalation. Qassem’s remarks suggest that Hezbollah views the current situation as one in which resistance remains necessary to protect Lebanese sovereignty and to enforce compliance with previous agreements.

By signaling a willingness to engage in political dialogue under clear conditions while reaffirming its military readiness, Hezbollah has outlined a dual-track posture of resistance and potential cooperation. The future of this stance is likely to depend on developments related to territorial disputes, reconstruction access, and regional diplomacy.