'Why should we surrender?': Hezbollah chief says group capable of victory

Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that Lebanon is entering a "most dangerous phase," alleging a coordinated campaign by Israel and the United States to undermine the group's presence and capabilities.

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Israel and the US sought to close air, sea, and land crossings to prevent the arrival of weapons, technology, and anything else that would strengthen the Resistance. The scheme aimed to block reconstruction efforts so that people would remain displaced and homeless, and to turn the Resistance's support base against the Resistance itself. They imposed a suffocating financial blockade to prevent us from addressing the situation or recovering.

In a speech, Qassem claimed that Israel and the U.S. are attempting to prevent weapons and technology from reaching Hezbollah, block reconstruction efforts to keep people displaced, and turn the group's support base against it through a "suffocating financial blockade." He accused them of reneging on a November 2024 ceasefire agreement due to regional power shifts.

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The Hezbollah chief, who took over following Israel’s assassination of previous head Hassan Nasrallah and his presumed successor Hashem Safieddine, asserted that Lebanon entered a “most dangerous phase” in his speech.

Despite acknowledging significant losses, Qassem rejected the notion of surrender. "If we are capable of victory, why should we surrender?" he asked, asserting that Hezbollah "does not fear death" and is "always victorious in confronting those who threaten us with death." His remarks follow the killing of senior commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike.

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The massive losses are less than surrender and defeat. If we are capable of victory, why should we surrender?

The defiant statements were made as the Israeli military reported attacking over 100 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon within the past day, claiming dozens of terrorists were killed. The IDF also announced the deaths of four soldiers. A ceasefire was reportedly agreed upon for Friday afternoon, but reports indicated that Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon continued after its intended start time.

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The IDF has attacked over 100 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon over the past day, the military said in a statement Friday. Moreover, dozens of terrorists were said to have been killed.