Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has called on Saudi Arabia to join forces against Israeli aggression. His remarks came after fresh Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday.
Hezbollah indicated a willingness to rebuild ties with Riyadh, emphasizing dialogue, resolving past disputes, and identifying Israel as a common enemy.
Relations between Hezbollah and Saudi Arabia soured in 2016 when the Gulf Cooperation Council designated the Iran-backed group as a terrorist organization. However, shifting geopolitics in the Middle East may now open the door to rapprochement.

The United States has announced $14.2 million in assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, aiming to enhance their operational capabilities and safely remove unexploded ordnance and Hezbollah weapons caches. The aid aligns with previous U.S. efforts to support Lebanon against Iran-backed militant groups and curb Hezbollah’s influence. The announcement coincides with Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urging regional countries to back the Palestinian resistance and cautioning governments against supporting Israel in ways that undermine the resistance movement.

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem has vowed the group will never surrender to Israeli aggression. In a televised speech marking the Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary, he said Hezbollah has sacrificed leaders to defend Lebanon and continues to block Israel’s objectives. He accused the U.S. of backing Israeli dominance in Lebanon and urged national unity to resist. Qassem warned Saudi Arabia and the UAE could face future Israeli strikes under the “Greater Israel” plan, stressing resistance as the main deterrent.

Lebanon’s cabinet is meeting to review a military plan to disarm Hezbollah, a move driven by U.S. pressure and intensifying Israeli strikes. The plan stems from a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal aimed at ending over a year of Hezbollah–Israel clashes. Hezbollah rejects the proposal as treasonous and serving foreign interests, with reports suggesting its ministers may boycott the session. Analysts warn of possible ministerial resignations or street protests if the plan proceeds, while Speaker Nabih Berri urges dialogue and consensus.

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem declared that the group will not disarm as long as Israeli aggression continues, warning they are ready for a “Karbala-style” struggle. Speaking in Arbaeen, he invoked Imam Hussein’s legacy, emphasizing the choice between justice and oppression. Qassem praised the 2006 victory for deterring enemies, criticized the Lebanese government for cooperating with U.S. and Israeli agendas, and affirmed continued support from the Islamic Republic. He called for unity in defending Lebanon’s sovereignty.

On Thursday, Israeli drone attacks in eastern Lebanon killed at least six people and injured ten others, according to Lebanese authorities.

A strike on a vehicle on the Al-Masnaa International Road resulted in five deaths, while a separate drone attack in Kafar Dan claimed the life of a civilian. Overnight strikes in Deir Siryan in Marjayoun District killed a Syrian national and injured two more.

The Israeli military claims the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including garages, bulldozers, and residential-adjacent sites near the Litani River.

Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that Israel’s carefully constructed sense of security over the last eight months could be obliterated in a single hour by missile strikes.
He reaffirmed Hezbollah’s preparedness to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty and rejected international pressure to disarm.
Speaking at a memorial for Iranian martyr General Ezadi, Sheikh Qassem highlighted his legacy of supporting Palestinian resistance.
He added, “The U.S. does not want the Lebanese military to acquire weapons that pose a threat to Israel. If Hezbollah disarms, who will protect Lebanon?”

Former Lebanese minister Adnan Hussein has declared that Hezbollah will never surrender its weapons, despite mounting pressure from the U.S. and Israel. He warned that American interference in Lebanon is increasing and accused Washington of conspiring against the region. Hussein highlighted the ongoing Israeli drone surveillance over Tripoli and the Bekaa region, and said the U.S. never holds Israel accountable, as evidenced by its handling of the Gaza crisis. He dismissed American mediation as unreliable and emphasized that the best response to foreign pressure is national unity.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem firmly rejected international pressure to disarm, emphasizing that surrendering arms would mean handing them over to Israel. Marking the anniversary of a top commander’s death in an Israeli strike, Qassem declared Hezbollah’s weapons are a sovereign Lebanese matter beyond ceasefire agreements. Despite diplomatic efforts and U.S. pressure on Lebanon’s government to disarm Hezbollah, the group insists it will not relinquish arms unless Israeli aggression stops, deepening Lebanon’s political divide over the issue.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem has strongly condemned U.S. and Israeli actions in Gaza, stating they have exceeded all humanitarian and moral standards. He warned that the U.S. will eventually be forced to withdraw its support due to overwhelming Palestinian resistance. Qassem criticized the silence of the international community and urged Arab and Islamic nations to close Israeli embassies, cut trade ties, and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. He expressed confidence that Israel’s aggression will ultimately lead to its downfall by divine will.

Lebanon has officially responded to a U.S. proposal that suggests disarming Hezbollah in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. President Joseph Aoun handed the reply to U.S. envoy Tom Barrack during a meeting in Beirut. The response outlines Lebanon’s stance under its ceasefire commitments with Israel. Meanwhile, the UN reports that 87.7% of Gaza is under Israeli military control or evacuation orders, leaving over 2 million people confined in areas with minimal services and shelter, amid worsening humanitarian conditions.

Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israel carried out drone strikes in southern Lebanon, killing two people. The Israeli military targeted Hezbollah fighters, claiming to have killed members involved in rebuilding the group’s infrastructure. One victim was working on a rooftop in Khiam when struck. This marks a continued pattern of Israeli attacks since last November, despite the ceasefire aimed at ending over a year of conflict with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.

Hezbollah’s deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that Israel will never succeed in disarming the Lebanese resistance group. Speaking at a memorial for Commander Ali Karaki, Qassem emphasized Hezbollah’s readiness against Israeli aggression. He criticized U.S.-Israel plans for a new deal aimed at weakening Hezbollah, stating it poses an existential threat to Lebanon. Qassem acknowledged the cost of resistance but warned that surrender would expose the entire nation to attack. He urged unity and resistance to safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has firmly stated that while Lebanon hopes for peaceful coexistence with Israel, there are no plans to normalize diplomatic relations. “Peace simply means the absence of war, but normalization is not part of Lebanon’s foreign policy,” he emphasized. Aoun also called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from disputed border points still under occupation and accused Israel of repeatedly violating its ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to maintaining exclusive state control over all weapons in the country.

At least five people were killed and one injured in an Israeli drone strike in the southern Lebanese city of Al-Nabatieh, according to local sources cited by Mehr News. The drone targeted a specific vehicle despite an ongoing ceasefire.

Lebanese officials view such actions as violations of national sovereignty. Hezbollah has reaffirmed its refusal to disarm, while the Lebanese government continues to remain largely silent on Israeli aggressions. President Joseph Aoun confirmed that Lebanon has no plans to normalize relations with Israel.