Why it matters:
The speech comes amid continued regional tensions and ongoing fighting in Gaza, as well as heightened sensitivity along the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah’s messaging signals its intent to maintain its deterrence posture against Israel while simultaneously positioning itself as a stabilizing actor domestically by backing the Lebanese Army and rejecting internal conflict.
The big picture:
The annual commemoration honors figures central to Hezbollah’s founding and military evolution, including Abbas al-Moussawi and Imad Moughniyeh, both killed in Israeli operations.
What he's saying:
Qassem pledged that Hezbollah would continue “the path of the martyred leaders,” vowing to uphold their legacy.
He said that “occupation must be faced by resistance to achieve liberation.”
Describing Hezbollah as a “national, patriotic, Islamic and humanitarian resistance movement,” Naeem Qassem called resistance as both domestic and regional.
He accused Israel of being an expansionist entity seeking to occupy all of Palestine and claimed that Israel currently controls 60% of Gaza while continuing daily attacks on the remainder.
On Lebanon’s internal front, Qassem said Hezbollah opposes internal strife and supports strengthening the capabilities of the Lebanese Army.
He also questioned why the Lebanese government does not convene regular sessions to discuss a national defense strategy “instead of making concessions.”
Iran will never be defeated, Iran will influence the region, Hezbollah director general added.
The bottom line:
By blending resistance rhetoric with calls for national unity and institutional strengthening, Hezbollah’s leadership sought to reinforce both its ideological identity and its political relevance at a moment of regional volatility.
Go deeper:
Hezbollah Chief: Iran Is Victorious Thanks to Faithful Nation, Leadership
Hossein Amiri - ahmad shirzadian
