Tel Aviv Tribune Net correspondents
Beirut- Naim Qassem, Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, delivered a recorded speech on the occasion of the first anniversary of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation carried out by the Hamas movement on October 7, 2023, in which he sent a group of messages to multiple parties, stressing that the party enjoys a strong position on the political and military levels. .
With this speech, Qassem appeared for the second time in only 8 days, as the first time was after the assassination of the former Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, on September 27 of last year by Israeli raids on the southern suburb of Beirut, where he affirmed in his first speech the continuation of the party’s march with greater strength, While in his second speech, he focused on overcoming the painful blows and securing alternatives in all locations without exception.
In his speech, Qassem also addressed several issues related to the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation and the opening of the southern Lebanon front in support of Gaza, as well as questioning Iran’s role, and what the displaced people from the south, the Bekaa, and the suburbs are suffering, and he talked about the relationship with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nabih Berri, and his political role.
Qassem stated that this war did not affect their will and determination to resist, explaining that alternatives were secured in all locations. He pointed out that some of the alternatives and deputies to the martyred leaders were from the first generation that founded Hezbollah in 1982, and some others were close to them. He stressed that everything that was The martyr leader has his deputy and assistant.
At the conclusion of his speech, Qassem indicated that they would work to elect the Secretary-General according to organizational mechanisms, stressing that Israel would not achieve its goals and that they would defeat it. He considered that the only solution for them is resistance and steadfastness, with the importance of their people rallying around them, and he concluded by saying that their choice for victory is resistance, indicating that they will cause the Israeli enemy great losses that may be a prelude to ending the war.
Resistance stability
Political analyst Tawfiq Shoman considers Qasim’s statements to be of great importance, as they reflect the stability of the resistance and the strength of its military and political capabilities. He explained that these statements also indicate the ability of the resistance to command and control, citing what is happening in the south in terms of confronting Israeli ground incursion attempts, in conjunction with the bombing of cities. Israeli.
In this context, Shoman emphasized that Qasim was decisive in his assertion that “the continuation of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon will lead to an increase in the number of people displaced from the northern colonies, and not the opposite,” and this statement clearly reflects the strength of the military structure of the resistance under these sensitive circumstances.
Moreover, Shoman touched on the controversy surrounding Iran’s support for the Lebanese resistance, as he referred to Qassem’s categorical assertion that Iran not only supported the resistance verbally, but also bombed Israel itself.
Qassem also raised a question about the position of those who doubted this support, encouraging them to take steps similar to what Iran did. Here, Shoman explained that the relationship between Iran and the resistance movements is a fixed relationship that does not admit of doubt.
As for internal relations, Shoman referred to Qassem’s emphasis on the strength of the relationship with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and his appreciation for the political role he plays. He also stressed that the relationship with the Amal Movement is very strong, explaining that all issues can be discussed, but these must be done. Discussions after the ceasefire, which is considered a priority before discussing any other issues within a comprehensive national framework.
Multiple messages
In his interview with Tel Aviv Tribune Net, writer and political analyst Amin Qammourieh believes that the most prominent political message in the speech of the Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah was directed internally, specifically to the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, as he described him as the “big brother” of the party and its leadership, which suggests that Berri is authorized By the party in political and diplomatic affairs, especially if the possibility of a diplomatic solution to the crisis arises.
Qamouria adds that this position contradicts what was previously rumored about Berri’s decision to coordinate with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and former Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt regarding approval of the American-British-French-European-Arab statement on a ceasefire.
He clarifies that all the differences in viewpoints that have been rumored about this issue are valid, while the most important question remains the timing, as the statement stipulated that the ceasefire in Lebanon will continue for 21 days, with the situation in Gaza being discussed later.
Qamouria adds that Hezbollah appears to agree with Nabih Berri’s positions, which indicates that there are no differences between the two parties. It is also inferred from this position that the party does not mind a ceasefire if the appropriate conditions are available. However, Qamouria points out, through analysis of Qassem’s speech, Israel’s behavior at the present time does not suggest a real intention to stop the escalation or seek to reach a truce.
Regarding the other messages sent by Naim Qassem, Qamouria points out that the party has rearranged its ranks and regained control, which reflects its determination to continue fighting until the last moment. It also sent a clear message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that his attempt to return settlers to the northern regions has failed. With failure, the continuation of the war will lead to an increase in the number of settlers who will leave those areas.
Regarding Qassem’s talk about the impossibility of reaching a solution as long as the war is still raging, Qammouriyeh points out that this means that the only option available to Hezbollah is to stand firm and defend the land, and although the Israeli army may make progress in some areas, this does not mean that A change in maps or a decline in the strength of the resistance. Rather, this will increase the stability of the resistance in the face of any attempt to re-occupy or advance into Lebanese territory.