Hezbollah on Saturday marked the anniversary of Israeli strikes that killed senior commanders last year, as its leader Naim Qassem vowed the group would not abandon the battlefield or surrender its weapons.
Qassem told thousands gathered in Beirut's southern suburbs, the group's stronghold, "We remain steadfast and ready for martyrdom; we will not leave the field, and we will not relinquish our arms."
The ceremony commemorated leaders killed in the September-October 2024 strikes, including its long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah and his deputy, Hashem Safieddine.
Nasrallah was killed one year ago on September 27 during a massive Israeli airstrike targeting Beirut's southern suburbs, where the memorial ceremony took place. Nasrallah was later buried in February of this year in a mausoleum near Beirut Airport.
The commemoration was attended by Lebanon's ministers of Public Health and Labor, both members of Hezbollah, as well as Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani.
Many residents attending the commemoration said they still remembered the moments of the airstrike a year ago.
"The impact was extremely strong, and the explosion was very powerful at the southern suburbs of Beirut. The entire Beirut shook. At that moment, our hearts trembled. Then we heard the news that Sayyed [Hassan Nasrallah] had been assassinated," said Abou Abbass, a local resident.
Also, during the commemoration, Qassem said Israel's assassination campaign against Hezbollah's leadership had failed to weaken the group which he said had reorganized its structures, and sustained pressure on the battlefield. He also condemned that the United States has continued to exert political pressure on the Lebanese government since a ceasefire took effect in late November last year, and rejected calls for Hezbollah to disarm, saying its arsenal was vital to defend Lebanon against Israel.
Since the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States and France was reached in November 2024, the U.S. has reportedly exerted significant pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah. This demand, according to the United States, has been presented as a condition for Israel to cease hostilities, fully withdraw its forces, and for the international community to resume economic aid to Lebanon.
Hezbollah marks anniversary of slain leaders, vows to keep arms
Hezbollah marks anniversary of slain leaders, vows to keep arms
Hezbollah marks anniversary of slain leaders, vows to keep arms
