Sheikh Qassem: Reconstruction is not a favor from anyone, and we will not accept blackmail under this pretext.
Qassem: Lebanon cannot move forward under US guardianship, and the US must respect the Lebanese people’s will for independence and non-interference in its affairs.
Sheikh Qassem: They say they are linking reconstruction to disarmament, we say we are the ones linking weapons to reconstruction.
Sheikh Qassem: Moving to the second phase requires implementing the first phase, which includes the withdrawal of “Israel,” an end to its aggression, and the actual start of reconstruction.
Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah has fulfilled its responsibilities; let “Israel” fulfill its own, and let the Lebanese state fulfill its own.
Qassem: We will not discuss the details of the defensive strategy in the media, nor will we preempt the principles that will be agreed upon once we sit at the dialogue table.
Sheikh Qassem: Let “Israel” withdraw and stop its aggressions, including its air violations, as an important step toward engaging in discussions on the defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: When we are invited to dialogue, we will be ready, but not under the pressure of occupation.
Sheikh Qassem: There was an exchange of messages with the President of the Republic regarding the implementation of the agreement south of the Litani, and the messages were positive and will remain so.
Sheikh Qassem: The second principle stipulates that any dialogue serves to leverage the strength of the resistance and its weapons in any defensive strategy.
What's happening in Syria? 'Israel's' proxy war plan
In an interview for Al Mayadeen, writer and political analyst Mouhanad al-Hajj Ali addressed the escalating tensions between the Syrian Army and armed groups. He believes that this is an orchestrated proxy war led by "Israel". He told Al Mayadeen, "These terrorist groups are tasked with occupying territories stretching from Idlib to Aleppo's countryside, Hama's countryside, Damascus' countryside, and the Qalamoun Mountains to geographically separate He-zb-ol-lah from the rest of the Axis of Resistance." Al-Hajj Ali said that history further exposes the connection, as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham previously received artillery aid from "Israel" during battles with the Syrian Army in 2017-2018.