The Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naeem Qasem, affirmed that "Israel presents various proposals regarding northern Palestine and southern Lebanon, trying to suggest that it has options that would help settlers return securely to the north and distance Hezbollah and the resistance from the south so that they could feel secure, even amidst this battle. We tell them: Israel is not in a position to impose its options; rather, it is in a position to respond and confront the resilience of the resistance in countering aggression, rejecting the stabilization of the Israeli project, and preventing Israel from achieving its objectives in Gaza, Lebanon, and the region."
In a speech during a memorial ceremony in Beirut, he highlighted that "Israel cannot return settlers to the north amidst the battle, nor can it gain any advantage in this battle or at its conclusion. First, it must stop the war in Gaza for the war in Lebanon to cease. With the ongoing bombardment of civilians in Lebanon, this means that the response will be stronger and proportionate to the Israeli aggression."
Qasem said: "We have made our decision to be in a state of war and confrontation at the southern front against Israel, but in a manner proportional to the demands of the battle. If Israel continues to escalate, the response will be stronger. As for Israeli threats, they hold no value for us because we will be ready and present. We did not engage in this battle lightly or for frivolous reasons; we engaged in it because it is necessary to put an end to this Israeli enemy, its arrogance, and its continued violations in its deceitful and vicious aggression against Gaza. Although we know that the sacrifices we make are significant, these sacrifices are important and necessary, leading to even greater sacrifices that will undermine a dangerous project for Palestine and the region."
