Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has warned that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon without any conditions. Speaking in a live broadcast on Friday, he said Israel’s presence in Lebanon was not due to missile threats but to occupy and control the country. Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s restraint was a deliberate strategy of patience, describing endurance as the only path to victory.

He declared that Hezbollah would not disarm north of the Litani River and that any discussion on weapons would occur only after Israel’s complete and unconditional withdrawal. Qassem claimed Israel’s aggression aimed to eliminate Hezbollah but said the group had successfully resisted. He urged Lebanese authorities to unite against the enemy and reject external interference, particularly from the United States and Israel.

Qassem also commented on a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, calling it a formal declaration of defeat for both the U.S. and Israel, asserting that Iran’s steadfastness led to the agreement.