BEIRUT – On August 5, 2025, Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem issued a stark warning to Israel, stating that missiles would “fall inside the Israeli entity” if Israel resumes a large‑scale war on Lebanon.
Qassem delivered the warning during a televised address as Lebanon’s Cabinet convened to discuss the fate of Hezbollah’s arsenal amid growing U.S. pressure to secure the group’s disarmament. He asserted that if Israel engages in “large‑scale aggression,” Hezbollah, along with the Lebanese army and civilians, will defend themselves—collapsing Israel’s security built over eight months “within an hour”.
Revealing internal figures for the first time, Qassem claimed that the recent war resulted in 5,000 Hezbollah fighters killed and 13,000 wounded. Despite these losses, he insisted the group’s structures remain intact and fighters stand ready to make “the harshest sacrifices”.
Qassem rejected what he described as “external dictates” embedded in the U.S. proposal brokered by envoy Tom Barrack, calling instead for Israel to fully implement the existing ceasefire before any discussions on Hezbollah’s weapons could resume.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s government has directed its national army to prepare a plan aiming to ensure state monopoly on arms by the end of 2025, addressing mounting concerns over Hezbollah’s autonomous weapon capabilities.
The speech touched off public displays of support, with men on motorcycles flying Hezbollah flags across Beirut’s southern suburbs for a second consecutive day.
As disarmament discussions remain deadlocked amid political opposition and regional tensions, Lebanon faces a pivotal moment balancing diplomacy, sovereignty, and regional security risks.
Source: Local News Agencies
