Hezbollah Leader Declares 'Trump Project Broken,' Netanyahu Defeated

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a defiant speech on Wednesday, marking Hezbollah's "Martyr's Day," where he addressed recent political shifts in the United States and Israel, framing them as opportunities for Lebanon and the "axis of resistance." He specifically cited the U.S. midterm election results, which saw the Republican Party lose control of both houses of Congress, and the ongoing political crisis surrounding government formation in Israel.

Qassem described these developments as a political "earthquake," declaring, "Trump was defeated, and the Trump project is broken. Netanyahu, the man who wanted to be emperor, is also broken and defeated." He asserted that while Trump and Netanyahu suffered defeats, Iran and the resistance organizations achieved victory, predicting positive implications for Hezbollah. Hezbollah sources believe the U.S. election outcomes dealt a blow to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is associated with a proposed tripartite framework agreement between the U.S., Israel, and Lebanon, an accord Hezbollah opposes.

Central to Qassem's address was a firm rejection of international calls for Hezbollah's disarmament. He stated that the organization would not relinquish its weapons and did not rule out further military escalation in Lebanon. Responding to the notion that disarmament is a prerequisite for an end to Israeli attacks, Qassem retorted, "If they believe Israel will not stop its attacks unless Hezbollah disarms, then let it attack, what is it to you?" He argued that continued resistance is necessary because Israel's true aim in disarming Hezbollah is to "build settlements within Lebanon," thus the need to "remain ready, fight when necessary, and defend the land."

Qassem also strongly criticized a joint statement from the U.S., UK, Australian, Canadian, and Japanese embassies in Beirut, which called for a "swift, independent, and politically unhindered" legal process regarding Hezbollah explosives seized in October. Qassem accused the embassies of "openly interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs" and called for them to be silenced and warned. He urged Lebanese authorities to cease discussions about weapon limitations, stating such talks could only occur after a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories.

In contrast to his criticism of foreign powers, Qassem praised the Lebanese army, urging for its state funding and rejection of conditional foreign aid. This aligns with Hezbollah's stance that it cannot disarm while the Lebanese army remains underfunded.