Jakarta, ThedailyID — Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has vowed to continue fighting Israel regardless of who leads the country after its general election. He also rejected discussions about disarming the group while Israeli forces occupy Lebanese territory and continue launching attacks.
“We do not care who governs Israel, but we must make clear that they cannot continue the occupation and must leave our land immediately,” Qassem said in a written statement on Wednesday, October 28.
Qassem said Hezbollah would continue its resistance and respond to any attacks targeting the group or Lebanon. He insisted that disarmament was not an option while the occupation and Israeli military operations continued.
The statement came after Israel held its general election on Tuesday (October 27). Preliminary results showed a narrow lead for the right-wing bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the main opposition bloc. However, with 90 percent of votes counted, neither side had secured a clear parliamentary majority.
Hezbollah is facing mounting pressure after its strength weakened during two wars with Israel since 2023. The Iran-backed group previously held significant influence over Lebanon’s political landscape.
In June, Lebanese and Israeli authorities signed a framework agreement that included Hezbollah’s disarmament, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied areas, and the deployment of Lebanese forces to those territories.
However, implementation of the agreement has faced obstacles. Israel has continued sporadic attacks and demolished buildings in and around areas under its occupation. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has rejected the Lebanese government’s plan to disarm the group.
