Naim Qassem: This is an Existential Battle and We Have Prepared Ourselves for a Long Confrontation

SadaNews - The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, stated on Friday evening that the party has decided to confront after a continuous Israeli aggression lasting 15 months and the occupation of several areas in Lebanon; this was during a speech he delivered in light of the ongoing war that erupted on March 2, following the party's alignment with Iran in response to the American-Israeli war.

He pointed out that the battle he referred to as "the consumed turmoil" is the resistance battle in Lebanon against Israeli aggression, adding that diplomatic efforts have failed and the Lebanese government has not achieved sovereignty.

Qassem stated, "We are facing a brutal aggression that poses an existential threat in every sense of the word, and after the aggression against Iran, we found the conditions suitable to confront the enemy."

He emphasized that "the enemy does not have the ability to achieve its goals, and we have prepared ourselves for a long confrontation, and they will be surprised in the field, and the enemy will see our might, and its threats do not scare us."

He considered, "We are strong in three aspects, which are our faith in God Almighty, our support for the truth, and our will, along with the capabilities we have prepared. The displaced and refugees are in a position of contribution and sacrifice and are satisfied with that, and they believe in it, and we are among them and they are among us, but endurance is the solution to get through this phase."

Qassem responded to the Israeli Prime Minister's threat to assassinate him, saying, "Netanyahu, your threat to assassinate me is flavorless and worthless, and it is you who should fear for yourself."

He continued, "The American-Israeli aggression is the reason for what is happening in Lebanon, and resistance is not the cause, as the resistance is a reaction. Had it not been for it for more than 40 years, Lebanon would not have remained, and now they are trying to repeat the experience. The American-Israeli aggression is what destroys stability and security and disrupts the Lebanese people, putting us before two options: either surrender or the resistance continues."

Qassem affirmed, "There is neither defeat nor surrender in our dictionary; we will remain strong in the field regardless of the sacrifices and endeavors. We will not retreat because it is a matter of our existence; this is an existential battle, not a limited or simple one."

He called on the Lebanese government to stop free concessions because that prolongs the war, saying, "The aggression must be stopped, not the resistance. The solution is clear: to completely stop the aggression and for Israel to withdraw completely from the occupied territories, release the prisoners, and allow people to return to their villages and begin reconstruction. This is the solution to stop the resistance from this battle or confrontation."