Hezbollah Rejects Disarmament, Criticizes Lebanon's Leadership

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem has called for a change in the format of negotiations with Israel and criticized Lebanon's leadership, rejecting demands for the organization's disarmament. Qassem made these remarks during a speech commemorating the second anniversary of the death of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Thousands of Hezbollah supporters attended memorial events across Lebanon, with the main ceremony held near Nasrallah's grave in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Qassem stated that current pressure on Lebanon aims to force the Lebanese army to achieve what he claims Israel could not accomplish militarily. He reiterated Hezbollah's rejection of disarmament, emphasizing that decisions regarding the national Lebanese army should be made domestically, free from external influence. Qassem also criticized the framework agreement and direct negotiations with Israel, asserting that seven rounds of talks yielded no results. He urged the Lebanese leadership to cease concessions and shift to indirect negotiations, advocating for increased pressure to achieve Israeli troop withdrawal. Qassem also criticized Lebanese President Michel Aoun, stating the president should act as a mediator and unifier rather than aligning with one faction. "We want the president to be an arbiter and a unifier, not a party," Qassem said. He affirmed Hezbollah's readiness for dialogue but opposed classifying the group's resistance as illegal. Comparing potential disarmament to surrender, Qassem stressed Hezbollah's commitment to reclaiming Lebanese territories, particularly in Southern Lebanon. He also touched upon Hezbollah's military operations, stating the group follows a plan to minimize civilian and organizational damage, citing a three-month resistance effort in the Ali al-Tahir area as an example. Additionally, Qassem announced Hezbollah's intention to fund housing reconstruction for disaster victims through its own resources and donations, with a new housing project to be announced soon. Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike on September 27, 2024, after leading Hezbollah for over 30 years. His potential successor, Hashem Safi al-Din, was killed in a subsequent Israeli strike. Two years after Nasrallah's death, issues surrounding Hezbollah's armament, Israeli troop presence in Southern Lebanon, and negotiation formats remain points of contention within Lebanese politics.