Hezbollah Leader Vows To Retain Weapons as Israel Responds to Group’s Continued Ceasefire Violations
Qassem Pledges To Retain Arms: Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem vowed on April 27 that the Iran-backed terrorist organization would not “relinquish its weapons or its defenses.” Qassem also labeled last week’s meeting between Lebanese and Israeli officials a “gratuitous and humiliating concession” on the part of the Lebanese government. “We categorically reject direct negotiations with Israel, and those in power should know that their actions will not benefit Lebanon or themselves,” Qassem said.