Hezbollah leader warns Israel: "We have no choice but to explore other options"

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem issued a stern warning to Israel on Saturday evening, accusing the Jewish state of violating the ceasefire agreement with attacks on Hezbollah targets in the Dahieh area of Beirut and other locations in southern Lebanon. Speaking in honor of Al-Quds Day, which marks the last day of Ramadan, Qassem demanded that the Lebanese government take action to prevent Israel from continuing its offensive actions. He emphasized that Hezbollah would no longer tolerate Israel’s actions and would respond if Israel ignored the established boundaries of the ceasefire.

Qassem stated that Hezbollah would not allow Israel to create a new military equation through its attacks, specifically highlighting the strikes on Dahieh, Beqaa, and southern Lebanon. He criticized Israel for justifying these strikes with what he called "false justifications" and warned that if the Lebanese government failed to act diplomatically to stop Israel, Hezbollah would be forced to explore other options. His remarks strongly suggested that Hezbollah may resume military actions if Israel does not respect the ceasefire terms.

Hezbollah’s leader also expressed the readiness of his fighters, revealing that many of them had expressed a desire to die as martyrs in the battle. He acknowledged that some were disappointed they had not met that fate during previous conflicts, demonstrating the deep commitment within Hezbollah's ranks to continue its struggle against Israel.

Qassem’s comments also touched on Hezbollah’s ideological stance regarding the Palestinian issue, which he called an ideological matter rooted in faith. He described Israel as a "cancerous tumor" that was being supported by the United States. The speech coincided with Iran’s annual Al-Quds Day observance, which rallies support for Palestinians under Israeli control.

Under the current ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on November 26, 2024, Lebanon's official military and security forces are the only entities allowed to operate in southern Lebanon, while all unauthorized weapons and military infrastructure are to be dismantled. Despite this, Israel has maintained five military positions along its northern border to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing itself in the area and to guard against potential terrorist infiltrations.