• Hezbollah will not disarm until Israeli aggression against Lebanon ends, according to Naim Qassem.
• Calls for disarmament are rejected as Lebanon faces ongoing violations of a ceasefire agreement.
• The Lebanese government is under pressure to dismantle Hezbollah's military wing despite ongoing conflict.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that his group will not disarm in response to mounting pressures amid ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Speaking during the Ashura commemoration in Beirut, Qassem asserted, "Defending the homeland does not require anyone’s permission," further indicating that disarmament would only be considered after Israel halts its military actions and complies with the ceasefire agreement established last November. He remarked that the continuation of conflicts necessitates Hezbollah's armament as a form of resistance against Israeli occupation, according to aa and trtglobal.

The Lebanese government has faced significant pressure from both domestic and international fronts to disarm Hezbollah. Recently, US envoy Tom Barrack visited Beirut to discuss financial reforms and the proposed disarmament of Hezbollah by year’s end. Despite this, Qassem firmly maintained that such disarmament discussions are premature, given what he termed Israel's chronic violations of the truce, including nearly 3,000 reported violations resulting in casualties and further destabilization within Lebanon. He emphasized that practical peace discussions could only kick off once Israel withdraws from occupied territories and engages in reconstruction efforts, according to scmp and indiatimes.

Qassem's statements reflect a steadfast stance amidst escalating hostilities. Reports indicate that Israel has maintained its military presence at five strategic locations within Lebanon, despite the November ceasefire aimed at quelling tensions. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in significant casualties, with over 4,000 individuals reported dead and many more wounded since the resurgence of conflict, prompting repeated calls for Hezbollah's disarmament. However, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun underlined the complexity posed by Israeli occupation, making it difficult for Lebanon to assert complete sovereignty over arms control, according to aa and trtglobal.