Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem on Friday called on the opponent political parties in Lebanon as well as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to start a new phase of cooperation in face of the Zionist expansionist scheme which targets the entire region.

Addressing Hezbollah ceremony to commemorate the first martyrdom anniversary of the great Jihadi Commander Ibrahim Akil (Martyr Abdul Qader) and Al-Rudwan Unit commanders at Sayyed Al-Shuhada Complex in Beirut’s Dahieh Beirut, Sheikh Qassem indicated that the entire region is facing an exceptional and dangerous political turning point.

“The Israeli entity, planted in our region since the beginning of the 20th century, dug deeply with colonial and arrogant support that began with Britain and then moved to America.”

Sheikh Qassem added that this usurping entity is an expansionist presence meant to be a piece of the West, an instrument of America, a scarecrow for the region, and an expansionist case preventing the region from achieving independence.

‘Israel’ has reached the peak of criminality, brutality, and disregard for any humanitarian, legal, international, or human rights norms — with full, detailed backing from the American administration, his eminence affirmed.

“The soft war, sanctions, Madrid, and the Abraham Accords all failed to achieve the clear and quick results America and ‘Israel’ sought — hence, genocide became their chosen solution.”

Hezbollah considers that what follows the strike by the enemy entity against the State of Qatar is different from what preceded the strike on Qatar, Sheikh Qassem underlined.

“After the strike on Qatar, the targeting now reaches the Resistance, the regimes, the peoples, and every geographic and political barrier standing before ‘Greater Israel’. The goal has become Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran.”

We must all confront this danger together — states, regimes, peoples, and the Resistance — and the only path for this confrontation is unity against the common enemy within defined limits of unity, Sheikh Qassem underscored.

Sheikh Qaassem noted that ‘Israel’ must be recognized as the danger, not the Resistance, adding that the threat from ‘Israel’ is comprehensive and affects everyone — the Resistance, regimes, peoples, Arabs and Muslims and Christians, and all of humanity.

Sheikh Qassem called on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to open a new page with the Resistance on the following foundations:

•  a dialogue that addresses the problems, answers fears, and secures mutual interests
• a dialogue based on the premise that ‘Israel’ is the enemy, not the Resistance
• a dialogue that freezes past disputes.”
• The weapon of the Resistance is directed at the Israeli enemy — not at Lebanon, not at Saudi Arabia, nor at any place or party in the world, his eminence added.
• Pressure on the Resistance is a clear win for ‘Israel’, and when the Resistance is absent that means the turn will come to the states.
• The Resistance in Palestine is part of this wider Resistance that constitutes a strong bulwark against Israeli expansion.

Sheikh Qassem also called on everyone inside Lebanon — even those whose enmity with us has grown close to hatred — not to provide services to ‘Israel’.

“When America openly declares that it acts in Israel’s interest, how can we trust any American or non-American proposal, and how can we accept giving concession after concession?”

Sheikh Qassem affirmed that the Resistance continues in spite of ‘Israel” and America. This Resistance continues because it has leaders who are martyrs, because it has the Master of the Ummah’s Martyrs His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah [May Allah bless his soul], and because of Sayyed Al-Hashimi, Hajj Abdul Qader, and others [Allah’s blessings are upon them].

Hezbollah leader stressed that this Resistance cannot but remain with its head held high, adding that, if ‘Israel’ wants to end it, let it know that it will itself come to an end later, God willing, because of the steadfastness of these fighters.

Sheikh Qassem noted that America provides the Lebanese Army only with the type of weapons that allow it to manage internal affairs, adding that any weapon suspected of possibly reaching the Israeli entity, affecting its aircraft, or influencing its army is strictly prohibited from being provided to the Lebanese Army.

“Let us stand as one hand to expel ‘Israel’ and build Lebanon: hold parliamentary elections on time, make reconstruction a government priority, accelerate financial and economic reforms, fight corruption, and engage in positive dialogue for a national security strategy.”

We are ready to make the utmost sacrifices to remain honorable, Sheikh Qassem vowed.

The Resistance’s supporters are, with their own eyes, holding firmly to the Resistance’s weapons because they have seen their fruits in liberation, deterrence, and presence, his eminence added.

“We offer dialogue and understanding from a position of strength; our arena is ablaze with the light of sacrifices, and our faith in resisting the occupier to expel him and liberate our land is steadfast. We accept nothing less and are ready for the greatest challenges to remain honorable. Our supporters cling to the Resistance’s weapons because they have witnessed the results in deterrence and liberation, and as leadership, we take mobilization from our people.”

We view any confrontation with the Israeli project as an existential battle for us and the nation, for which everything else becomes trivial, Hezbollah leader affirmed.

“The Lebanese government is responsible for confronting Israeli aggression and must scream about it every day so the world hears this cry. The Lebanese government must think of out-of-the-box solutions.”

Sheikh Qassem stressed that the Lebanese official stance regarding the Israeli aggression is good, calling for turning it to be daily.

“We, as the Resistance, are ready to perform our duty alongside the Lebanese Army, whatever your decision, but in confronting the Zionist army.”

“All previous empires reached the highest ranks but fell when they were corrupt and oppressive; injustice will fall, even if later. We will not be slaves and will remain free,” Sheikh Qassem concluded.

Hezbollah Secretary General started his speech by indicating that Martyr Abdul Qader confronted the 1982 invasion, was responsible for central training in the early 1990s, participated in the Ansariya battle, and was among the commanders of the July War.

“Martyr Abdul Qader fought in Syria, in Al-Qusayr and Al-Qalamoun, and since 2008 he was an aide to The Master of the Ummah’s Martyrs.”

From the stances of Martyr Abdul Qader we take lessons and see his great sacrifices for the liberation of the land, sovereignty, and independence, Sheikh Qassem said.

Martyr Commander Ahmad Mahmoud Wehbi joined the Resistance since its founding, was captured by the ‘Israeli’ enemy, and served as the commander of the Rudwan Force until 2024, Sheikh Qassem added.

“I was informed that one of the mujahideen brothers passed away a few days ago, Mazloum Adloun, who had participated in most of the Resistance’s operations and was the commander of the armor corps in 2006.”

Sheikh Qassem explained that, on September 20, 2024, the Israeli enemy raided a meeting center of the Radwan commanders in the southern suburb, leading to the martyrdom of eighteen Rudwan commanders and around fifty civilians — men, women, and children. Until now, four of them remain missing.

Source: Al-Manar English Website