Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has declared that Israel has no alternative but to withdraw completely from all Lebanese territory it currently occupies, while describing the recent agreement between Iran and the United States that eased hostilities with Israel as a setback for both Washington and Tel Aviv.
Qassem made the remarks in a televised address on Friday as Shia Muslims across Lebanon commemorated Ashura, the annual day of mourning marking the death of Hussein, a revered figure in Shia Islam.
The address came as tens of thousands of Hezbollah supporters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs, waving Hezbollah and Iranian flags in what observers described as the group’s largest public rally since the regional conflict erupted in March.
Speaking to the crowd, Qassem maintained that Israel must end its military presence in southern Lebanon without attaching any conditions.
“Israel has no option but to withdraw completely from every inch of our Lebanese land… Israel must leave unconditionally,” Qassem said.
The conflict intensified on March 2 after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, saying the attack was in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader during joint US-Israeli military strikes.
Israel responded with sustained air raids and a ground offensive in Lebanon, which Lebanese authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 4,200 people.
Under pressure from the United States, Lebanese officials began direct negotiations with Israel in Washington in April. Although a ceasefire was announced on April 17, fighting continued despite the agreement.
Another ceasefire was declared earlier this month as Iran insisted that any broader agreement reached with the United States to end regional hostilities must also address the situation in Lebanon.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Lebanese authorities reported that six people were killed in Israeli attacks earlier this week.
As Lebanon and Israel continue a fifth round of negotiations in Washington, Qassem ruled out any arrangement that could be interpreted as recognition or normalisation of relations with Israel.
According to him, Hezbollah would reject any agreement that allows Israel to gain political or strategic advantages.
“As Lebanon and Israel hold their fifth round of talks in Washington, Qassem said his group would accept ‘no normalisation, no cancellation of the state of hostility, no gains for Israel’.”
The Hezbollah leader also praised Iran for its continued support throughout the conflict and argued that Tehran’s recent agreement with Washington represented a political victory for Iran.
He described the deal as “an official declaration of the defeat of America and Israel”.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Lebanese authorities have repeatedly attempted to separate negotiations concerning Lebanon from the broader discussions involving Iran and the United States.
Among those attending the Ashura gathering was 48-year-old Abeer Ayash, who said she had lost both her home and several relatives during Israeli bombardments.
She said she attended the event to honour Hezbollah fighters operating in southern Lebanon.
“We are here today… for the resistance fighters in the south who are sacrificing for us and for the entire nation,” she said.
Ayash also reaffirmed her support for the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel in 2024, as well as Iran’s current and former supreme leaders.
“We renew our pledge to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to Sayyed Ali Khamenei, and to Sayyed Mojtaba.
“We will not abandon this path, even if we all become martyrs.”
