Sheikh Naim Qassem on the 2006 July Victory: Resistance vs. the Project of Surrender

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said that the 2006 July War ended with Israel’s defeat before the army–people–resistance equation, alongside the liberation of prisoners. He stressed that the war’s outcome kept Israel deterred until 2023, which he described as evidence of the importance of resistance.

Key points from his speech:

• The July War was a living experience that demonstrated the importance of resistance and its ability to deter the occupation.

• Despite the difficulty of the 2024 Battle of the Strongest, its outcome led to an agreement requiring the Israeli withdrawal and an end to violations, alongside arrangements concerning armed presence south of the Litani. Qassem said Israel

failed to honor any of the agreement’s provisions.

• He accused the authorities of spending 15 months targeting the resistance politically instead of confronting the occupying power, arguing that they had

“other calculations and commitments”

and were operating under foreign tutelage.

• He described the confrontation as an existential war, stressing that the resistance fought “in the spirit of Karbala” and that those betting on surrender are

“betting on a mirage.”

• He argued that what is being called the

“Framework Agreement” is neither an agreement nor a framework, but Israeli dictates signed by the authorities.

• He stressed that Israel could not have carried out such brutality and destruction without direct American support.

• He challenged the authorities:

“Give us one achievement from the seven rounds of negotiations,”

calling on them to return to their people and acknowledge the failure of the negotiating track.

• He warned that continuing negotiations amid daily Israeli attacks would lead only to

“shame and disgrace,”

questioning the purpose of meetings while Israeli attacks continue during and after them.

• He criticized the pressure being placed on the Lebanese Army, asking:

How can you accept the army being bombed and pressured by Israel, while simultaneously subjecting it to a committee that monitors and supervises its work?

Political takeaway:

Qassem’s speech frames the confrontation as part of a broader struggle between resistance and occupation on one side, and negotiation and international pressure on the other—rejecting the premise that security and political concessions can protect Lebanon while Israeli attacks continue.