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January 29, 2025 Special Dispatch No. 11803

Hizbullah Leader Na'im Qassem: Al-Aqsa Flood Achieved Its Goal; Israel Failed To Destroy Hamas And Hizbullah; Israeli Withdrawal From Lebanon Should Not Be Delayed; Resistance Will Act At Time And In Manner It Sees Fit

January 29, 2025
Lebanon, Palestinians | Special Dispatch No. 11803

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On January 27, 2025, at the conclusion of the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon that was signed on November 27, 2024, and following an announcement by the White House on the January 26 about the extension of the ceasefire until February 18, 2025,[1] Secretary-General of Lebanese Hizbullah, sheikh Na'im Qassem, delivered an approximately 50-minute televised speech. In his speech, Qassem claimed that the Al-Aqsa Flood campaign had achieved its goal and that Israel had failed in its attempt to destroy Hamas and Hizbullah. He declared that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon and that his organization would not agree to extend the ceasefire agreement "by even one day." He also asserted that the resistance reserved the right to operate at a time and in a manner that it sees fit.[2]

"The Goal Of Al-Aqsa Flood Was Achieved, And Israel's Project To Destroy The Resistance And Hamas Was Defeated"

The Hizbullah secretary-general opened his speech with remarks pertaining to the January 21, 2025 assassination of sheikh Muhammad Hamadi, the Hizbullah official responsible for the western Beqaa district of Lebanon in the village of Mashgharah in the same area. He said that Hamadi was murdered at "the hands of traitors" and that although the investigation of the incident was still ongoing, "suspicion points toward the Zionists."

Referring to recent incidents in the Gaza Strip, Qassem described them as a victory for the Palestinian people and all the peoples of the region, saying, "The goal of Al-Aqsa Flood was achieved, and Israel's project to destroy the resistance and Hamas was defeated." He said that the "aggression" directed at Gaza and Lebanon was "an unrestrained act of hostility backed by the U.S. and the West," and that the U.S. and Israel wanted to destroy the resistance but it faced them "with legendary resolve and martyrdom-driven determination."

Qassem added that it was Israel that requested a ceasefire and Hizbullah and the government of Lebanon acquiesced, which he claimed was a victory in itself. While noting that Israel's "informational dominance, control over communications, artificial intelligence, and airpower" were critical factors in the strikes directed at Hizbullah, he claimed that the resistance remained strong and had agreed to hold its fire when the government of Lebanon came to the decision to defend its borders and bring about the withdrawal of Israel from its territory. He declared, "This is an opportunity for the state to fulfill its duties and test its political capabilities."

"Israel's Continued Presence In Lebanon Is An Act Of Aggression Against Lebanese Sovereignty; The Resistance Has The Right To Act As It Sees Fit Regarding The Form, Nature, And Timing Of The Confrontation"

The Hizbullah leader said that his organization preferred not to respond to Israel's violations of the ceasefire agreement, despite "feelings of humiliation and retaliatory actions." He described the scenes of the displaced Lebanese returning to their homes in South Lebanon, in the Beqaa Valley, and in the southern suburb of Beirut as "a victory scene," and claimed, "We achieved victory because we returned, and the occupier will be forced to leave and withdraw."

Declaring that the resistance fighters "never left the battlefield," and the resistance remains "steadfast and strong," he also said that the American sponsor of the agreement is the same one who sponsors the Israeli "aggression" and failed to play its role, yet "we decided not to give any pretext. The breach of the agreement proves Lebanon's need for the resistance." Qassem asserted that, "The tripartite equation of the army, the people, and the resistance, which stopped Israel from reaching Beirut and the south of the Litani River, is as clear as the sunlight; the problem lies with those who cannot see it, and it will remain radiant."

He repeated his demand that Israel should have withdrawn from Lebanon at the close of the 60-day period stipulated in the ceasefire agreement and stated that Hizbullah does not agree to an extension of the ceasefire period "by even one day." He said that the U.S., the UN, France and Israel bear the responsibility for all consequences of delaying the Israeli withdrawal. He also declared that a continued Israeli presence in Lebanon "is an [act of] aggression against Lebanese sovereignty, and everyone is responsible for confronting this occupation: the people, the army, the state, and the resistance. The resistance has the right to act as it sees fit regarding the form, nature, and timing of the confrontation."

Two recent statements issued by Hizbullah are notable in the context of Qassem's speech, in which he stressed that a delay in the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and urges Lebanon to take every action to make it happen,[3] and also encourages violent confrontations between Lebanese citizens and Israeli forces in South Lebanon.[4]

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