The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah will not relinquish its weapons while Israel exists, the group’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem announced on Friday, reaffirming the Iran-backed group’s stance.
The address came during a televised speech marking Arba’een, the 40th-day commemoration of the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Imam Hussein Ibn Ali (ra).
Speaking to supporters, Qassem declared: “The resistance will not surrender its weapons while the (Israeli) occupation exists. We are ready to fight a Karbala-like battle if necessary against the Israeli-American project, no matter the price.”
Imam Hussain was killed in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680. Each year, thousands of Shia pilgrims journey on foot to Karbala in Iraq to mark the end of this mourning period, a ritual that holds deep significance in the Shia tradition.
Expressing readiness for a Karbala-style battle would mean that Hezbollah’s leader essential declared that his armed group would be prepared to fight until total defeat without surrender in order to keep its arms.
Qassem did not limit his criticism to foreign powers. He also pointed the finger at Lebanon’s own leadership, accusing the government of abandoning its responsibilities.
He stated: “The Lebanese government bears full responsibility for any internal strife and for neglecting its duty to defend the country’s land.”
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Addressing officials directly, he urged them to “stop the aggression and expel Israel from Lebanon. You will have our full cooperation during discussions on national and strategic security.”
He also warned that any move towards disarmament could lead to public unrest, hinting that protests could reach as far as the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
The comments follow a significant policy shift by Lebanon’s government, which recently tasked the army with developing a full disarmament strategy against the Shia group.
The plan aligns with a U.S.-supported proposal aiming to establish the Lebanese state as the sole authority over weapons nationwide, a move viewed as the most direct challenge to Hezbollah power in recent years.
The group swiftly rejected the proposal, labelling it a “grave mistake” and firmly stating its refusal to comply.
It is believed by some that Hezbollah’s arms are a redline issue for the group and that any attempt by the Lebanese state to forcefully disarm it could plunge Lebanon into a new civil war.
Tensions remain high following the major escalation that began on 8 October 2023, when Israel launched a military campaign in Lebanon after Hezbollah began attacking Israel in solidarity with Gaza.
The conflict intensified over several months and by September 2024 had evolved into a full-scale war, leaving over 4,000 people dead and injuring approximately 17,000. Although a ceasefire was agreed in November, hostilities have persisted.
Israeli forces continue to conduct near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah positions. Hezbollah does not retaliate and Beirut hopes that by pursuing a disarmament plan against Hezbollah, Israel may abandon its constant attacks.
Under the terms of the truce, Israel was expected to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by 26 January.
However, delays pushed the deadline to 18 February, and Israeli troops still occupy five border posts, a key point of contention for Hezbollah which dominates life in the Shia-rich areas of south Lebanon.
The Iran factor
Iran has voiced continued support for Hezbollah amid a push to disarm the group and is a key component in the tense standoff between Hezbollah and the Lebanese State headed by the U.S.-backed Christian President Joseph Aoun.
Hezbollah is considered by many to be a proxy of Iran and much of its weapons, technology and funding is provided by Tehran.
The two have a long history of cooperation and Iran’s paramilitary group, the IRGC, played a key role in helping establish a Shia fighting force in Lebanon decades earlier to help them fight against an Israeli occupation of south Lebanon.
Hezbollah remains a key political, social and military player inside Lebanon despite being designated a terrorist group in the U.S., the UK and suffering major blows during the recent war with Israel, including the loss of its former leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Amid the row over Hezbollah’s arms, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary, Ali Larijani, arrived in Beirut for a one-day visit.
Larijani said on Wednesday that Tehran will stand by the Lebanese people “under all circumstances.”
He emphasised Iran’s unwavering commitment to the national interests of Lebanon, saying: “If the Lebanese people suffer, the Iranian people feel that pain too. We will stand by the people of Lebanon under all circumstances.”
Despite Iran’s reconciliatory message, President Aoun warned Tehran’s delegation against continued interference.
During a meeting in Beirut with Larijani, Aoun said the country was open to cooperation with Iran but only within the bounds of national sovereignty and mutual respect.
“We reject any interference in our internal affairs,” Aoun said, adding that “it is forbidden for anyone… to bear arms and to use foreign backing as leverage,” according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency posted on X.
“The friendship we seek with Iran must be with all Lebanese, not through one sect or component alone,” Aoun said, according to the statement.
Tensions remain high in Lebanon with protests already occurring across Beirut as Hezbollahs supporters vent their anger over the issue.
The Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has ordered the military to prepare an implementation roadmap for the plan, while Aoun unveiled a broader national proposal, including Israeli withdrawal, prisoner releases, and full state control over arms.
