Deputy Secretary General of "Hezbollah," Sheikh Naeem Qassem, indicated that "from the beginning, we announced as Hezbollah that the Lebanese front is a supportive front, and it is an obligatory support, not a preferable one, for the interest of Lebanon and Palestine. What Hezbollah is doing is resistance and legitimate defense, indeed a duty because this enemy only understands the language of power to deter and prevent it from achieving its goals now and in the future. Furthermore, we will not yield to any signal from any party that speaks of settlement, weakening, or ending this weapon, as strength is what allows us to live in our country independently and with heads held high, enabling us to confront challenges and prevent the spread and extension of savagery." During a memorial ceremony for Hezbollah members, he emphasized that "neither threats nor temptations will work on us, nor linking what is happening at the borders to any internal entitlement, and we do not discuss with anyone any situation for southern Lebanon while the aggression on Gaza continues."