[News] Hezbollah patient, but current situation cannot persist: Sheikh Qassem

[Anti-Imperialist News]

 Hezbollah patient, but current situation cannot persist: Sheikh Qassem

   - ByAl Mayadeen English
   - Source: February 16, 2026 -
   https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-patient--but-current-situation-cannot-persist--she

4 Min Read

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem says Lebanon implemented the
ceasefire agreement while “Israel” did not, stressing resistance and
sovereignty.
[image: image.png]

Hezbollah is steadfast and remains committed to continuing the path of its
martyred leaders, Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared on Monday
during a speech on the anniversary of the Resistance leaders' martyrdom.

“Our struggle is ongoing and stable
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/resistance-will-ensure--israel--never-stable-nor-defined--sh>,
and we will continue the path of the martyred leaders who were followed by
others,” he said, adding that the responsibility of resistance in Lebanon
is shared by the state, the army, and the people.

“The resistance, in our understanding, is national, pan-Arab, Islamic, and
humanitarian. These elements cannot be separated from one another,” Sheikh
Naim stressed.

He emphasized that Lebanon is confronting an enemy “that seeks to
exterminate people, destroy stones, life, and strength, and we must remain
steadfast in the face of that.”
The so-called 'ceasefire' and disarmament plots

Discussing the ceasefire agreement, which came into force on November 27,
2024, and has been continuously violated by the Israeli occupation, Sheikh
Qassem reiterated that Lebanon has upheld and respected the provisions of
the agreement, while the Israeli occupation has not
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-slams-unchecked-israeli-attacks--abductions-in-leb>.
This comes at a time of ceaseless violations, targeting infrastructure,
civilians, and airspace breaches, including surveillance.

At the same time, the Lebanese government has focused on disarming the
Islamic Resistance
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/resistance-weapons-will-neither-be-withdrawn-nor-frozen--hez>,
which Sheikh Naim warned was a "grave mistake" that serves the enemy's
agenda.

“What is this assistance that makes our country an easy prey for Israel and
leads to the imposition of foreign tutelage over us for the interests of
major powers?” he asked, reasserting, “We want to ensure that Lebanon is
sovereign, independent, and the sole decision maker when it comes to its
internal affairs. Otherwise, Lebanon will be on the path toward vanishing.”

📌 مسؤولية المقاومة في لبنان هي مسؤولية الدولة والجيش والشعب

📌 المقاومة في فهمنا وطنية قومية إسلامية إنسانية ولا يمكن تفكيك هذه الأجزاء
بعضها عن بعض

الأمين العام لـ #حزب_الله
<https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>
 الشيخ نعيم قاسم في ذكرى القادة الشهداء#الشيخ_نعيم_قاسم
<https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%AE_%D9%86%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%85_%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>
 pic.twitter.com/qdE9JlpIQJ <https://t.co/qdE9JlpIQJ>
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) February 16, 2026
<https://twitter.com/AlMayadeenNews/status/2023409787464262090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>

On war and defense

Assuring Lebanon that Hezbollah does not seek war, Sheikh Naim stressed
that the Resistance remains prepared and ready to defend the nation against
any hostility. “We do not want war, nor do we seek it, but we will not
surrender, and we are ready to defend. There is a great difference between
defense and the initiation of a war,” he said.

He further noted, “We have what enables us to defend
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/sheikh-qassem-to-velayati--hezbollah-thwarted-iof-goals-desp>,
and they know that the outcome of any war is not guaranteed.”

Sheikh Naim also reminded the government of its duties to its country and
liberating its lands, saying, "If it is surrender you are after, amend the
constitution, for the constitution says to take every action possible to
achieve the liberation of all Lebanese territories." Additionally, he
highlighted that the state's constant concessions have played a role in
propagating the Israeli enemy's ambitions.

“Announce that you have fulfilled your duties and that you have nothing
left to give, and stop every move under the banner of limiting weapons,” he
urged.
Hezbollah prioritizes national unity

Sheikh Qassem reaffirmed that Hezbollah supports national unity, full
sovereignty, and liberation, and opposes "all forms of sedition and is in
favor of a national security strategy."

He also divulged the reasons Hezbollah remains patient in the face of the
ongoing aggression, clarifying, "First, because the state bears
responsibility and must fulfill its duties. Second, in care for our society
and our country at this stage."

However, he warned that the current situation cannot persist indefinitely.
“This situation cannot continue as is. As for when, how, and what
developments may change this reality
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ask-us-nothing-anymore--we-will-keep-defending-lebanon--shei>,
we will allow the facts to tell the story.”

He also stressed that regional dynamics are interconnected and that any
solution or complication elsewhere “is reflected in one way or another on
Lebanon.”
On Occupied Palestine

Regarding occupied Palestine, Sheikh Qassem stated that “Israel” is “an
expansionist entity that wants Palestine and the entire region without
exception.”

“Do not underestimate what the occupation is doing in Gaza and its formal
and gradual annexation of the West Bank. America is the one managing that,”
he warned.
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