Hezbollah Vows Retain Arms, Rejects Disarmament Amid Lebanon-Israel Tensions

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem firmly rejected disarmament efforts, vowing that the group would never relinquish its weapons amid ongoing tensions with Israel. Speaking at ceremonies marking the one-year anniversary of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's assassination by Israel, Qassem emphasized the group's readiness for martyrdom and resistance against any disarmament initiatives, which he described as serving Israeli interests. He criticized the Lebanese government for decisions aimed at disarming Hezbollah and accused foreign powers, including the U.S., of seeking to weaken the group rather than confronting Israel. Qassem called on the Lebanese government to prioritize national sovereignty by ending Israel's presence on Lebanese soil and to focus on reconstruction. The commemorations featured large gatherings of supporters waving Hezbollah, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Iranian flags, with Iran's National Security Council Chairman Ali Larijani attending the events. Hezbollah remains a central political and military force in Lebanon, rejecting calls for disarmament despite pressure from domestic and international actors.