Qassem reassures Israel on settlements but warns it against continuing its attacks

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Tuesday reassured Israel over the “security” of its northern settlements, as he warned it against continuing its attacks in Lebanon.

“Israel and America want to interfere in Lebanon's future -- in its army, economy and policies. They are exerting pressure because they believe that the (ceasefire) agreement gives Lebanon gains,” said Qassem in a televised speech marking Hezbollah’s ‘Martyr Day’.

“They are pressing the (Lebanese) government to offer concessions without guarantees,” he warned, cautioning that “Israel does not want to withdraw because it wants to control Lebanon politically and geographically.”

“Unfortunately our Lebanese government has only focused on arms monopolization from the entire ministerial statement,” Qassem lamented.

He added: “The Lebanese government is claiming that arms monopolization is aimed at eliminating the Israeli alibis, and there is a new alibi today which is that Hezbollah is regaining its strength and financing. The alibi will then become the existence of Hezbollah itself.”

“Why hasn't the Lebanese government devised a plan with a timetable for regaining Lebanese sovereignty?” he asked, criticizing the government’s plan for collecting all non-state arms in the country.

Noting that “America is using Israel as a tool,” Qassem added that “when we say Israel's aggression we actually mean the Israeli-American aggression.”

“They are interfering in our domestic affairs,” he warned.

Pointing out that “the November 27, 2024 agreement is exclusively for the South Litani area,” Qassem emphasized that “Israel must withdraw and release the captives” and that “there is no danger” facing its northern settlements.

He added that the Lebanese state is in charge of removing Israel from Lebanon and that the 2024 ceasefire agreement cannot be replaced with a new agreement.

“After the implementation of the agreement, there can be an internal discussion among the Lebanese over all issues,” Qassem said.

He meanwhile warned that “the aggression's continuation in this manner cannot persist and everything has its limit.”

“I will not say more and let the relevant officials take action,” he added.

“Intimidation and pressure won't change our stance, we won't give up our arms and any price is less costly than surrender,” Qassem went on to say.