Sheikh Qassem in First Address as Resistance Chief:

Hezbollah Will Continue Nasrallah’s Path

Date: 30 October 2024 - 22:15

News ID: ۱۳۳۰۴۹

BEIRUT (Dispatches) -- Hezbollah will continue to fight to disrupt a “major scheme” by Israeli its Western supporters to dominate the region, its new chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Wednesday.
In his maiden televised address as the Hezbollah chief, Qassem said his plan is to continue the path of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
“We will continue to implement the war plan laid out by Sayyed Nasrallah, and we will remain on the path of war within established political directions,” Qassem said.
He emphasized that supporting Gaza is essential to confront the danger posed by the Zionist regime to the entire region.
Hezbollah was founded in 1982 to confront Israeli occupation and its expansionist intentions and to liberate the occupied Palestinian lands, Qassem stated.
He also addressed criticisms that the resistance in Gaza and Lebanon provoked the Israeli aggression, calling on the public not to forget 75 years of Israeli atrocities and the role of Resistance in ending the occupation of Lebanon.
“Some argue that Israel was provoked, but does Israel need a pretext? Have we forgotten 75 years of killing Palestinians, displacing them, seizing the land and sanctities, and committing massacres?
“It is the resistance that drove Israel out of our land in the past in cooperation with the army and the people. International resolutions did not expel Israel from our land. Rather, it was the Resistance,” he said.
Sheikh Qassem said Zionist prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself stated at the beginning of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon that it was for the sake of a “New Middle East.”
“We are facing a significant project in the region; this is a war that extends beyond Lebanon and Gaza; it is a global war against Resistance.
“This Zionist war is American, European, and global in nature, seeking to eliminate Resistance in the region.
“All forms of brutality and extermination are being used in this aggression to advance their project, and we must confront it rather than stand by and watch,” he said.
The resistance in the region, Sheikh Qassem said, is fighting for a dignified future.
“The legendary steadfastness of the Resistance in Gaza and Lebanon is an epic of dignity; it will shape our generations’ future.”
Also, Hezbollah is not fighting on behalf of any party but is defending Lebanon, he added.
“No one fights on our behalf, and we do not fight on behalf of anyone. Our project is to protect our land and defend our country.”
Sheikh Qassem praised Iran’s support for the Lebanese resistance,

saying the Islamic Republic has never sought anything in return for its assistance.
“Iran understands the price it pays for its support of Resistance and has provided it—through martyr General Soleimani—with what no one else has offered,” he said.
“We fight on our land and liberate our occupied territory; no one asks us for anything, nor does anyone impose anything upon us.”
Sheikh Qassem thanked Hezbollah’s executive council for choosing him as the leader of the movement, viewing this decision as a sign of trust.
“This trust is rooted in Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi’s (the first leader of Hezbollah) words: ‘The fundamental commandment is to preserve resistance.’
“This trust reflects that of great leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah; I recalled his words when Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi was martyred—he spoke about how they wanted our secretary-general’s killing to defeat our spirit of Resistance and shatter our will to fight. But his blood continues to boil in our veins and strengthens our determination.”
In his remarks, Sheikh Qassem offered condolences for the martyrdom of Sayyed Hashem Saffieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council. He described Sayyed Saffieddine as an “organized individual” who kept pace with work, had keen vision, cared for fighters, and worked to meet front-line needs.
“He was one of the most prominent figures relied upon by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.”
Sheikh Qassem also offered condolences on the martyrdom of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, hailing him as an “icon of heroism and resistance” for Palestine and free people worldwide.
“He was martyred while fighting until his last breath—steadfast, brave, faithful, upright, dignified, and free.”
To Nasrallah, Sheikh Qassem said, “You were—and will always be—the banner of victorious Resistance; beloved by fighters; a reservoir of hope; heralding victory; cherished by those longing for a dignified life.”