Hezbollah Leader Vows to Maintain Arms Amid Israeli Threats
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has firmly stated that the armed group will not disarm in the face of Israeli aggression, underscoring the need for a unified national stance on resistance. During a televised address on August 5, 2025, Qassem emphasized that the strategy regarding disarmament should not follow a specific timeline but instead be approached through a national consensus, reports 24brussels.
In his speech, Qassem declared, “The resistance is fine, strong and ready to fight for Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence … Hezbollah made heavy sacrifices to defend Lebanon against the Israeli aggression.” He issued a stark warning that should hostilities resume, missiles would target Israel, and insisted that Hezbollah, the Lebanese army, and the populace would defend their territory. “All the security they have built over eight months will collapse within an hour,” he stated.
Later that day, after a six-hour cabinet meeting led by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, it was announced that the army would be tasked with bringing all weapons under state control by the end of the year. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterated the necessity of state control over arms, affirming, “the state’s duty to monopolise the possession of weapons,” as reported by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Qassem’s remarks followed significant protests in Beirut on August 4, where Hezbollah supporters rallied against proposed disarmament. The demonstrations occurred amid growing pressure from the United States for Lebanon to compel Hezbollah to surrender its arms, particularly as Israel continues near-daily violations of a truce established with Hezbollah to conclude previous hostilities.
The rising tensions highlight a complex landscape in Lebanon, where Hezbollah’s military capabilities continue to be a focal point of national debate and international concern. As the political climate shifts, the necessity for dialogue within Lebanon about the role of armed groups becomes increasingly vital.
