Hezbollah Refuses Disarmament, Ready for Martyrdom - Qassem's Declaration

Hezbollah's Unwavering Stance Against Disarmament

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, has made it clear that it will not surrender its weapons, even as the Lebanese government pushes for its disarmament. This stance was reaffirmed by the group’s leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, during a gathering of supporters marking one year since the death of his predecessor, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on September 27, 2024, was a central figure in Hezbollah’s operations and political influence. His death, along with the destruction of much of the group’s military capabilities by Israel, has weakened Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanese politics. In response, the Lebanese government has ordered the army to take steps toward disarming the group.

Qassem addressed tens of thousands of supporters at the tomb of Nasrallah, emphasizing that Hezbollah would never abandon its weapons. “We are ready for martyrdom,” he declared, underscoring the group’s determination to maintain its armed presence. He also claimed that Hezbollah is actively restoring its military capabilities and is prepared to confront any potential escalation from Israel.

The group has consistently rejected the Lebanese government’s recent decision to disarm it, stating that it is engaged in an “existential war” with Israel. This conflict has led Hezbollah to organize a series of commemorative events to mark the anniversary of Nasrallah’s death, including large gatherings and symbolic displays of resistance.

A Strong Show of Unity

At the event, supporters waved Hezbollah’s yellow banner alongside Lebanese, Palestinian, and Iranian flags. Chants of “death to America, death to Israel” echoed through the area near Beirut airport, accompanied by partisan and religious songs played through loudspeakers. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of defiance and solidarity.

Many attendees expressed their commitment to resisting any attempts to disarm Hezbollah. Wisam Hodroj, a 51-year-old man working in Iraq, said that the events following the last war have only strengthened their resolve. “Today, we have a new cause — we will not compromise on our weapons, and we will not hand them over,” he stated.

Ali Jaafar, a 21-year-old university student, echoed this sentiment, saying that handing over weapons is a dream of both internal and external enemies. Zahraa Haidar, an 18-year-old student, added that despite difficult times, the group has the strength and determination to never surrender or submit to the enemy.

Iranian security chief Ali Larijani was present at the event, highlighting the strong ties between Hezbollah and its key supporter, Iran.

Commemorations and Government Criticism

Hezbollah has been commemorating the deaths of Nasrallah and second-in-command Hashem Safieddine through a series of events. These began on Thursday with the projection of their images onto the iconic Raouche rock in Beirut, despite government opposition and lack of official authorization. This move drew criticism from some quarters, with supporters accusing the government of failing to protect national interests.

In a statement, President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that the painful anniversary would serve as a rallying point, reinforcing the belief that Lebanon’s salvation lies in having a unified state, a single army, and constitutional institutions that uphold sovereignty and dignity.

Despite a November ceasefire that ended over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter continues to conduct regular strikes on Lebanon. Israel still maintains troops at five border points inside the country, adding to the tension in the region.

Pressure on Hezbollah

Hezbollah faces intense pressure to hand over its weapons, with the Lebanese Army having developed a plan to begin disarming the group in the south. Lebanon itself is under pressure from the United States and continues to experience ongoing Israeli strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Lebanon’s efforts towards disarming Hezbollah at the United Nations General Assembly but emphasized that “more than words” are needed to achieve lasting peace.

Historically, Hezbollah was the only major armed group allowed to keep its weapons after Lebanon’s civil war, as it was fighting against the continued Israeli occupation of the south. The group’s strongholds are primarily in Shiite-majority areas of southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as south Beirut.

In October 2023, Hezbollah began launching rockets at Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza. This led to months of exchanges that escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024, before a ceasefire was eventually agreed upon two months later.