Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naeem Qassem has urged the Lebanese government to continue internal dialogue regarding talks with Israel, asserting that Israel has reached a stalemate in its efforts to eliminate Hezbollah. Speaking on April 27, 2026, Qassem claimed that despite U.S.-backed Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon since September 23, 2024, the group has not been defeated.

Qassem rejected direct negotiations with Israel and outlined five preconditions for any future talks: ending aggression by land, sea, and air; Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories; release of prisoners; return of displaced residents to their towns and villages; and reconstruction. He emphasized that Lebanese authorities should resist foreign pressure and prioritize national unity and sovereignty.

Reaffirming Hezbollah’s stance, Qassem vowed not to disarm and pledged to continue defensive resistance for Lebanon and its people. He declared that the group would respond to Israeli aggression and would not retreat or surrender under any threat.