Raad says he’d rather die than surrender weapons

The head of Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, has firmly rejected the government’s newly announced timetable to strip the group of its weapons by year’s end, describing the move as both dangerous and unacceptable. Speaking in an interview with Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV, Raad warned that giving up the group’s arms would be akin to “surrendering one’s honor” and “committing suicide,” a course he insisted Hezbollah will not take.

Arguments for Retaining Weapons

Raad argued that while the Lebanese state should ultimately have sole authority over arms, it currently lacks the capacity to confront Israel or force an end to the occupation. He claimed Hezbollah’s weapons have played a crucial role in protecting the country, dismissing suggestions to the contrary as a distortion of reality. Drawing a parallel with events in Gaza, he warned of the consequences Lebanon might face if it were left defenseless.

Risk of Internal Tensions

The veteran lawmaker cautioned that the government’s decision could shift the central issue from a Lebanese-Israeli dispute to an internal political conflict, threatening civil peace. He said the move has been perceived in Hezbollah strongholds in the South, Bekaa, and Dahieh as an invitation to “martyrdom,” evoking the symbolism of Karbala.

Sharp Criticism of Decision-Makers

Raad accused those who backed the disarmament timetable of acting recklessly or without foresight, calling their stance a “sin” that leaves Hezbollah with few choices. Concluding with a defiant message, he vowed that the group would “choose death over handing over the weapons,” adding a pointed remark that their opponents could “go pave the sea” if they expected otherwise.