Naim Qassem’s remarks came as the Israeli military reported over 50 strikes in Lebanon this month.
Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, has urged the Lebanese government to intensify efforts to stop Israel’s ongoing attacks in the country. This statement follows an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking the third such action since a ceasefire was declared last November.
In a televised address on Monday, Qassem stated that Hezbollah has upheld the ceasefire agreement that concluded a 14-month conflict, yet Israel persists with its continuous airstrikes.
His statements coincided with the Israeli military announcing that it had conducted over 50 operations in Lebanon this month, claiming these were responses to threats against Israel and alleging that Hezbollah breached the United States-negotiated ceasefire.
Human rights organizations have criticized the Israeli strikes on Lebanon, asserting they violate the terms of the truce.
On Sunday, Israeli jets targeted southern suburbs of Beirut after providing a warning an hour prior, representing the third strike in the region since the ceasefire in November. The Israeli military claimed the target was a facility for precision-guided missiles.
‘Pressure the U.S.’
In the aftermath of the strike, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of threatening Lebanon’s stability and heightening tensions. He stated that such attacks present “real dangers to the security” of the region.
“Yesterday, an act of aggression struck the southern suburbs of Beirut. This strike is unjustifiable … It is a political maneuver designed to alter the rules through force,” Qassem said, referring to the Sunday assault.
“The resistance has fully adhered to the [ceasefire] agreement, and I urge state officials to ensure protection,” Qassem emphasized, suggesting that Lebanese leaders should reach out to those backing the ceasefire to urge them to compel Israel to stop its attacks.
“Pressure the U.S. and convey that Lebanon cannot progress if the aggression continues,” Qassem remarked, addressing Lebanese officials. He stressed that the U.S. has vested interests in Lebanon, asserting that “stability serves these interests.”
Qassem highlighted that the primary objective should be a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an end to Israeli strikes on the nation, and the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel since the war officially concluded on November 27.
Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones, and missiles into Israel the day after its ally Hamas initiated an assault on October 7, 2023, to which Israel responded with extensive bombardments of Gaza. Approximately 1,200 individuals in Israel lost their lives, and around 251 were kidnapped during the attacks in southern Israel.
The conflict escalated last September when Israel conducted numerous airstrikes throughout Lebanon and assassinated many senior Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah. The fighting resulted in over 4,000 fatalities in Lebanon, primarily among civilians.
The Lebanese government reported earlier this month that 190 people have died and 485 have been injured in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was established.
