[News] Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-ready-to-face--israel--in-case-of-war--sheikh-naim> 



  Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Al Mayadeen English
October 26, 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hezbollah's Sheikh Naim Qassem affirms readiness to resist “Israel”, 
defend Lebanon, support Gaza, and maintain resilience after Sayyed 
Hassan Nasrallah’s martyrdom.

  * Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV,
    October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
    <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/10/26/97dd577d-a2d3-4d72-84b8-48e5ec23ff1e.jpg?width=1000>
    Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with /Al-Manar TV/,
    October 26, 2025

Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, affirmed that the 
resistance is prepared for defense 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/2-martyred-in-iof-aggression-on-east--south-lebanon> 
but is not preparing to initiate a battle, explaining that while they 
have no decision to start a fight or to take the initiative in combat, 
they are willing to defend Lebanon in case of war

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that if a battle 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/sheikh-qassem--lebanon-stability-depends-on-ending-israeli-a> 
is forced upon them, they will fight the Israelis with whatever means 
they have, even if it comes down to the last man or woman, and will not 
allow them to pass through South Lebanon.

He pointed out in an exclusive interview with /Al-Manar TV/ on Sunday 
that "the rhythm of the daily aggressions we are witnessing is pressure 
from America and Israel to achieve through politics what they have 
failed to accomplish on the ground 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/sheikh-qassem--lebanon-stability-depends-on-ending-israeli-a>."

Furthermore, he warned that “if the enemy launches a war on Lebanon, it 
will achieve nothing,” urging the full implementation of the ceasefire 
agreement 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-arms-main-obstacle-to-lebanon-normalization--israe>. 
He added that “everyone stands to benefit if the agreement is upheld, 
but if it is not, they will gain nothing, and we will continue preparing 
to resist any potential aggression.”

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah explained that the resistance 
possesses a level of deterrence that, while it may not prevent a war 
from breaking out, would stop the enemy from achieving its goals, adding 
that during the previous war, the enemy failed to meet its objectives, 
and this new agreement would not bring it any closer to success either.

Regarding the ongoing investigations into infiltration within Hezbollah 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/palestinian-resistance-decides-what-it-sees-fit--sheikh-qass>, 
Sheikh Naim noted that the resistance “is continuing its inquiries and 
will announce their completion and share the findings with the public 
once they are finalized,” adding that he had made this promise before 
and that it “will, God willing, be fulfilled.”


    The State is responsible for Defense: Sheikh Naim Qassem

When asked why Hezbollah had not responded to "Israel’s" daily attacks 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/legacy--path-of-sayyed-hassan-and-sayyed-hashem-eternal--she>, 
the Secretary-General said that after the ceasefire agreement was 
reached, the group handed over the responsibility to the Lebanese state, 
which now bears the duty of defending the country, asserting its 
sovereignty, applying pressure, and preventing further aggression.

Sheikh Qassem urged the Lebanese state to fulfill its responsibilities, 
noting that “ten months have passed, and you still haven’t been able to 
take even minimal action,” warning that the resistance’s silence “may 
not last much longer.”

He explained that the resistance’s fight against "Israel" 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/honoring-radwan-force--sheikh-naim-says-hezbollah-devoted-de> 
is not limited to defending Lebanon, but also extends to protecting 
Palestine, Egypt, and Syria, as the enemy’s ambitions, he said, threaten 
the entire region.

Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that “it is the Lebanese state that decides 
how it wishes to handle internal matters, whether related to weapons or 
anything else, and Israel has nothing to do with that.”

Additionally, he denied claims that Iran refuses to provide weapons, 
noting that the resistance in Lebanon and Iran share common ground in 
opposing occupation and striving for the liberation of Palestine.

He affirmed that the resistance’s stance is “to defend and resist 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-willing-to-give-lebanon-away-to--israel---hezbollah-s-she> 
until the last breath, and let the enemy try to seize the weapons on its 
own,” adding that “the Lebanese government should act more effectively, 
because the mechanism in place has done nothing except serve Israel’s 
interests.”


    The resistance recovered swiftly: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Discussing "Israel’s" 2024 war on Lebanon, Sheikh Naim Qassem told 
/Al-Manar/ that he immediately assumed his responsibilities following 
the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-slams-israeli-aggression--urges-firm-lebanese-stan>, 
noting that he coordinated with the late Sayyed Hashim Safi al-Din on 
military matters while he took charge of political affairs.

Sheikh Qassem added that he had not anticipated losing the party’s 
second Secretary-General 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/lebanon-honors-sayyed-hassan--sayyed-hashem-s-martyrdom--leg> 
so suddenly and in such a manner, describing the event as a turning 
point in his personal life and in how he approached his responsibilities.

He explained that he never felt alone in managing the party’s affairs, 
saying that “we consulted with our brothers and the Shura Council 
members, making decisions collectively, and we also coordinated with 
military leadership, issuing directives while listening to their 
suggestions.”

The Secretary-General emphasized that “Hezbollah has never been built 
around a single individual, but rather on an integrated group of 
fighters and cadres who share responsibilities and roles 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--unleashes-massive-strikes-on-south-lebanon--ignites>.”


    Hezbollah after the martyrdom of the two Sayyeds

Regarding the “People of Might” battle, Sheikh Naim Qassem said its 
achievements “belong to the party and the resistance 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-forces-violate-southern-lebanon--carry-out-multiple> 
as a whole, not to any single individual, as everyone performed their 
roles with coordination and responsibility.”

He denied rumors that Iran directed the battle, stressing that 
“Hezbollah managed the operation through its own leadership and the 
Shura Council, with direct oversight from the fighters and female fighters.”

The party quickly regained its stability after the two Sayyeds' 
martyrdom 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/lebanon-honors-sayyed-hassan--sayyed-hashem-s-martyrdom--leg>, 
he stated, explaining, “We filled the various positions, and the 
management was effective thanks to all the brothers, even though we went 
through ten difficult days from September 27 to October 7 before things 
became organized and the leadership stabilized.”

Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed that “communication, management, and 
decision-making between the Secretary-General and the military 
leadership were maintained throughout the People of Might battle,” 
adding, “During the war, there was a command system that combined 
political and military control simultaneously.”


    Targeting Netanyahu's residence intentional: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed that the 
targeting of the home of the Israeli occupation’s Prime Minister, 
Benjamin Netanyahu, was deliberate, aimed specifically at the house and 
even the bedroom, emphasizing that the strike hit its intended target 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/illusioned-are-those-who-think-hezbollah-is-weakened--israel>.

Sheikh Qassem provided details of the operation, explaining that one of 
the operatives had the layout of the house and knew the room 
arrangements, informing his superior and confirming his readiness to 
provide precise coordinates for the home. He added that the operative 
received authorization and carried out the strike successfully.

He stressed that operations of this kind are not isolated, noting that 
“the trainers among the brothers possess high levels of expertise, and 
this is evident in the fact that every target they intended to hit was 
successfully struck.”


    The resistance was affected in initial strikes

In response to a question about why the number and type of rockets did 
not meet public expectations, the Secretary-General emphasized that the 
initial strikes "Israel" carried out on September 23, 2024, were 
“extremely impactful.”

He added that the overall operations at that time included 1,600 
airstrikes, during which 550 martyrs were lost, and noted that targeting 
the leadership reduced the group's capabilities and readiness 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/resistance-won-t-give-up-arms--gov--decision-dangerous--shei>.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General explained that when the resistance 
began overseeing the battle, it operated with less capacity than 
initially, relying on carefully analyzed information to maximize impact 
and results.

Sheikh Naim Qassem also revealed that they considered that acting with 
excessive force could provoke an even harsher enemy response and result 
in a heavy price, which is why they maintained precision and caution in 
their operations.


    A switch in tactics

Sheikh Naim Qassem pointed out that between 2006 and 2023, the 
deterrence equation against the occupation emphasized demonstrating an 
excess of strength, a strategy he said “served the resistance and 
achieved its purpose at the time.”

He added, “If someone asks, ‘Why did you do that?’ the real question 
isn’t whether we did it or not, but whether it fulfilled its goal and 
brought benefit.”

Additionally, Sheikh Qassem explained that the resistance now follows a 
different approach that avoids overt displays of force, stating, “Today 
we have a different tactic and a different presentation. On the 
contrary, we do not show an excess of power, nor do we possess more than 
what is necessary. We operate normally, with sufficient strength, so why 
reveal more than we actually have?”

"Today, we are in a better position than we were before the 'People of 
Might' battle," Sheikh Naim Qassem said.


    The support front decision was the right choice

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah emphasized that the decision to 
engage in the support war for Gaza was deliberate and well-timed, with 
its content carefully considered.

Sheikh Naim Qassem explained that the resistance decided because it was 
“unthinkable for the enemy to be on our borders carrying out a campaign 
of extermination against the resistance in Gaza and then turn to the 
rest of the region when it's done,” recalling Netanyahu’s statements 
about a “Greater Israel,” which he said “reflect this aggressive approach.”

He added that participating in the support operation aligned fully with 
the resistance’s beliefs and principles, noting that it was justified 
“politically, morally, and ethically, and based on our faith and 
convictions,” and affirmed that “if the situation were to arise again, 
we would act on the same foundations and principles.”

In this context, the Secretary-General argued that linking Sayyed 
Nasrallah’s martyrdom to the Gaza support battle is “a political attempt 
to distort the image of participation in the operation,” stressing that 
what took place “was entirely appropriate” and that Nasrallah “attained 
the highest rank he wished for, that of martyrdom.”

Sheikh Qassem also highlighted that the leader of the nation’s martyrs 
left behind a party and a nation capable of carrying forward the 
teachings he established in life with tremendous strength, calling this 
“an exceptional achievement,” and noting that “all the enemies had bet 
that what happened to Hezbollah could destroy it.”


    Al-Ridwan Force as present as the resistance: Sheikh Naim Qassem

Sheikh Naim Qassem confirmed that the Radwan Force 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/honoring-radwan-force--sheikh-naim-says-hezbollah-devoted-de>, 
which forms an essential part of the resistance’s strength, “suffered 
what the resistance suffered in general, with losses and sacrifices, 
just like the other forces, capabilities, and supportive environment.”

He further explained, “The Radwan Force felt pain, experienced losses, 
and made sacrifices, but it remains and continues, just as the 
resistance remains and continues today," adding that these sacrifices 
demonstrate that the resistance still stands firm, and that the essence 
of its strength lies not only in weapons but also in faith and will, 
both of which remain robust and present.

Sheikh Qassem also noted that true recovery was evident in the 
resistance’s supporters 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-mp--resistance-rooted--elections-to-prove-its-stre>, 
who showed their resilience through the massive turnout at the martyrdom 
funeral and in the large gathering of scouts, who he described as 
shaping the future.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/news_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20251026/aa33c809/attachment-0001.htm>