[News] Sheikh Naim Qassem: Resistance is the Only Path to Confront Israel

[Anti-Imperialist News]

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Sheikh Naim Qassem: Resistance is the Only Path to Confront IsraelSeptember
20, 2025
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The Lebanese movement Hezbollah announced the assassination of two military
commanders Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wehbe. (Photo: via Hezbollah military
media)

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem marked the
anniversary of slain Radwan commanders with a call for regional unity
against Israel.

Marking the first anniversary of the killing of senior Hezbollah commander
Ibrahim Aqil and other Radwan Force leaders, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary
General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the steadfastness of the Resistance
and called on governments and peoples across the region to acknowledge the
existential danger posed by Israel.

Qassem opened his address with tributes to the late Hajj Abdul Qader,
describing him as a cornerstone of the Islamic Resistance.

“Abdul Qader resisted the 1982 invasion, oversaw central training in the
1990s, took part in the Ansariya operation, and was a leading figure in the
2006 war,” he said.

He also recalled Aqil’s active role in Syria, particularly in Qusayr and
Qalamoun, and his long service as deputy to Hezbollah Secretary General
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. “We draw lessons from Abdul Qader’s sacrifices in
defending land, sovereignty, and independence,” Qassem noted.

Reviewing the events of September 20, 2024, when Israeli airstrikes
targeted a meeting of Radwan Force leaders in Beirut’s southern suburb,
Qassem recounted that 18 commanders were killed along with nearly 50
civilians, while four people remain missing.

Among those remembered was Commander Ahmad Mahmoud Wehbe, a veteran
Resistance figure and former prisoner who led the Radwan Force until his
death in 2024. Qassem also announced the recent passing of Mazloum Adloun,
head of Hezbollah’s armored corps during the 2006 war.
*A Region in Crisis*

Turning to the regional scene, Qassem warned of an “exceptionally dangerous
political stage,” stressing that Israel, imposed as a colonial project in
the 20th century, continues to serve as a Western outpost with expansionist
ambitions.

“This artificial entity was created as an extension of the West, a tool of
the United States, meant to obstruct independence and suppress
sovereignty,” he said. Qassem accused Israel of “unprecedented savagery and
lawlessness,” fully shielded by Washington.
*On Normalization and Soft Warfare*

The Hezbollah leader argued that sanctions, negotiations such as the Madrid
process, and normalization agreements like the Abraham Accords failed to
bring about quick victories for Washington and Tel Aviv.

“That is why genocide has become their only available option,” he said.

He further stated that following Israel’s strike on Qatar, the scope of its
targets widened. “The enemy’s list now includes Resistance movements,
regional governments, peoples, and any geographic or political obstacle
standing in the way of Greater Israel,” he said, naming Palestine, Lebanon,
Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran.
*Israel as the Central Threat*

Qassem insisted that regional unity is the only way forward: “Israel must
be recognized as the central threat, not the Resistance. This danger
targets movements, regimes, peoples, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, and
humanity at large.”

In a pointed message, he urged Saudi Arabia to turn a new page, proposing
dialogue on three bases: open discussion to secure mutual interests,
recognition that Israel—not the Resistance—is the enemy, and readiness to
freeze past disputes.

He reiterated that Hezbollah’s arms are directed solely against Israel, not
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, or any other country.
*US Role and Lebanon’s Future*

Qassem sharply criticized US policy, rejecting Washington’s claims of
neutrality. “America openly declares it acts in Israel’s interest. How can
we accept its proposals?” he asked. He noted that Washington restricts arms
to the Lebanese Army, supplying only what is needed for internal use while
blocking weapons that could challenge Israel.

Calling for national unity, he urged holding elections on time, rebuilding
Lebanon, combating corruption, and establishing a national security
strategy.
*Steadfast Resistance*

Concluding his remarks, Qassem pledged that Hezbollah will remain
unyielding: “This Resistance stands tall despite Israel, despite America.
It is the Resistance of martyrs, of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, of Sayyed
Hashem Safieddine, of Abdul Qader, and many others.”

He stressed that Hezbollah enters dialogue “from a position of strength,”
rooted in sacrifice and the proven success of its arms in securing
liberation and deterrence. The movement, he added, will accept nothing
short of full liberation.

He urged the Lebanese government to speak out daily against Israeli
aggression and to adopt stronger positions in defense of sovereignty.
“History shows that empires built on injustice eventually collapse.
Injustice will fall, even if after some time. We will not be enslaved. We
will remain free,” he concluded.

*(PC, Al Mayadeen)*
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