Southern Lebanon strikes ‘cannot continue,’ Qassem warns Israel - JNS Staff

 

by JNS Staff

Hezbollah’s deputy leader said the ceasefire covers only Southern Lebanon and insists the Iranian-backed terrorist group will not disarm.

 

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem delivers a televised speech at a ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the death of Fuad Shukr, a founding member and commander of Hezbollah's armed wing who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut for his involvement in the Majdal Shams attack, in Hadath, Lebanon, on July 30, 2025. Photo by Daniel Carde/Getty Images.

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem warned on Tuesday that ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Southern Lebanon “cannot continue,” stating, “Everything has a limit.”

In a televised address, Qassem asserted the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon only applies to Southern Lebanon, arguing that “disarming Hezbollah and other enforcement mechanisms should not apply to areas north of the Litani River.”

He further stated that, “We will not give up our weapons,” insisting they are needed for self-defense. He also rejected Lebanese government efforts to collect the Iranian terror proxy’s arsenal. 

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem denounces in a televised address pressure exerted by the United States on Lebanon to make “concessions” without “guarantees,” reiterating his group’s refusal to give up its weapons.#Lebanon pic.twitter.com/W3wcoON1MP

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) November 11, 2025

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces continue targeted operations against Hezbollah terror infrastructure and terrorists in Southern Lebanon to prevent the group from rebuilding amid reported attempts to restore its capabilities, which were devastated along with its leadership by Israeli military actions during the recent war.

On Monday, the IDF dismantled several structures used as terror infrastructure in the Houla area of Southern Lebanon.

The IDF also said in Tuesday’s update that in an operation conducted last month at the same site, troops located and neutralized old weapons and explosive devices stored inside the structures.

The army stated that the presence of such sites violates the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. “The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel,” the military said, releasing footage that showed the weapons and explosives apprehended in last month’s raid.

במסגרת פעילות לילית של כוחות חטיבה 769 בדרום לבנון: הושמדו מספר מבנים ששימשו כתשתיות טרור של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה

כוחות חטיבה 769 השמידו במהלך הלילה (ב׳), מספר מבנים ששימשו כתשתיות טרור בכפר חולא שבדרום לבנון.

כמו כן, בפעילות שהתבצעה בחודש שעבר באותו המרחב, הכוחות איתרו ונטרלו… pic.twitter.com/dNPCUv108d

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) November 11, 2025

The IDF has presented government officials with options for increased military action in Lebanon, citing “Israel’s understanding that the Lebanese state is not doing enough to eradicate Hezbollah’s power,” Channel 12 reported Tuesday, citing defense sources.

Following Hezbollah’s renewed strengthening, Jerusalem has decided to intensify its strikes, warning the group that “as long as the current situation continues, Israel will attack, even if it leads to escalation.” The IDF is preparing disproportionate responses should tensions escalate further, officials added.

JNS Staff

Source: https://www.jns.org/southern-lebanon-strikes-cannot-continue-qassem-warns-israel/

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