Secretary General Hezbollah Says Ceasefire Agreement Ends Aggression, Not Resistance

Secretary General of Hezbollah Naim Qassem. (Wikimedia Commons/Tasnim News Agency/HamedPoppor)

JAKARTA - The ceasefire agreement with Israel aims to end aggression, not resistance, Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said.

Qassem said that in a speech on Sunday, highlighting the ceasefire agreement agreed last month.

"It is an obligation for all Arab and Islamic countries to support Gaza," he said at the beginning of his speech, launching Mehr December 15.

"Israel is trying to end every Resistance movement in the region," Qassem said.

He further said Hezbollah forces were causing heavy suffering to the Israeli military and its troops.

"We have made great sacrifices in standing steadfast against the Israeli regime," he said.

Qassem later said, "the ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime is to end aggression, not resistance."

"The enemy must be faced by preparing the right strength," he added.

"The legitimation of the resistance was taken from his belief," he continued, adding "The sacrifice paved the way for resistance."

"Our land will not be free except through resistance," Qassem added, noting "Metodes, means of resistance can vary alternately"

On the other hand, Qassem said, "the ceasefire agreement has nothing to do with Lebanese internal affairs, adding Hezbollah showed patience in dealing with Israeli violations of the treaty."

"The sacrifice carried out by the resistance is the price that has been paid for its continuation," said Hezbollah's head.

"If it weren't for the resistance of the Hezbollah fighters, Israel would seize Beirut," he said.

"The Israeli regime has an expansionist intention to occupy the Golan Heights. Hezbollah is still strong and recovers from his injuries," he continued.

He added that those who wanted to see the end of Hezbollah were disappointed.

"The implementation of ceasefire and reconstruction agreements includes our goals. We hope the collaboration will be an option for the new Syrian government," he explained.

"We hope the new Syrian government sees Israel as an enemy," the Hezbollah leader said, adding "We do not believe what is happening in Syria will have an impact on Lebanon."

Lebanon, Israel, and mediator countries signed a ceasefire on November 26 and came into force a day later to end the 14-month conflict.