‘Hezbollah will not disarm,’ leader Qassem declares amid tensions with Israel

Hezbollah will not allow anyone to disarm the group, its leader Naim Qassem said on Friday, rejecting U.S. and Lebanese calls for the Iran-backed movement to hand over its weapons following months of conflict with Israel.

Speaking on a Hezbollah-affiliated television channel, Qassem said, “We will not let anyone disarm Hezbollah or disarm the resistance.” He added, “We must cut this idea of disarmament from the dictionary.”

His statement comes amid U.S. pressure on Beirut to implement the disarmament of militias, including Hezbollah, as stipulated in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

Cease-fire terms and continued Israeli strikes

The November 2024 cease-fire was intended to end more than a year of cross-border fighting triggered by the Gaza war. It required Israel to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah to relocate its forces north of the Litani River.

While Lebanon’s army has begun deployment in the south, Israel maintains positions at five strategic sites and has conducted frequent strikes, claiming to target Hezbollah operatives.

Lebanese officials say over 2,700 attacks have occurred since the cease-fire.

Hezbollah says it has vacated 190 of 265 military positions south of the Litani and that it is adhering to the cease-fire terms. The group insists the ceasefire only applies to the southern region, not all of Lebanon.

Dialogue conditional on Israeli withdrawal

Qassem said Hezbollah is open to dialogue on a national defense strategy, but only once Israel withdraws from all Lebanese territory and halts its military operations.

“Israel must withdraw (from south Lebanon) and cease its aggression, and the Lebanese state must begin the process of reconstruction,” he stated.

In a separate interview on Hezbollah’s Al-Nur radio, senior official Wafic Safa reiterated the group’s position, saying there can be no discussion of disarmament before full Israeli withdrawal. “Wouldn’t it be logical for Israel to first withdraw, then release the prisoners, then cease its aggression … and then we discuss a defensive strategy?” he asked.

Lebanese president calls for arms monopoly

Earlier this week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated his intention to make 2025 the year to “restrict arms to the state,” adding that he hoped to achieve this through dialogue with Hezbollah.

Qassem responded by saying the resistance would not relinquish its weapons while Israel remains present in Lebanese territory. “Resistance is a reaction to occupation when the state cannot defend its lands,” he said.

Hezbollah cites deterrence against Israeli expansion

Qassem said the group’s armament serves as deterrence against Israeli threats beyond Palestinian territories. He stated that the “resistance” had played a critical role in forcing Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon in 2000.

“The ceasefire agreement was limited to the south of the Litani River. We have fulfilled all our obligations. Israel must first adhere to the ceasefire, and then Lebanon can begin discussions on the other terms of UN Resolution 1701,” he said.

US renews call for Hezbollah disarmament

During a visit to Beirut earlier this month, U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus urged Lebanese authorities to ensure the full implementation of the cease-fire, including the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Yawn https://t.co/v98qGgpqCT

— Morgan Ortagus (@MorganOrtagus) April 18, 2025

In response, Qassem said Hezbollah rejected “American control over Lebanon.”Wafic Safa added that both Hezbollah and the Lebanese army are respecting the truce, stating, “The problem is Israel, which has not done so.”