The Hezbollah leader accused Israel of attempting “to achieve politically what it had failed to accomplish militarily.”
He added that Israeli settlements in northern Israel “will not be safe” as long as Lebanese villages remain under attack.
“We are only concerned with ending the aggression, securing a ceasefire, and ensuring Israel’s withdrawal,” he said.
Qassem stressed that any ceasefire must apply across all Lebanese territory, adding that as long as the Israeli occupation continues, “the resistance will continue.”
Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023–2024 conflict. During the current offensive, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory, marking their deepest incursion since 2000.
More than 3,500 people have been killed and over 10,000 injured in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.
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