BEIRUT, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah on Saturday marked the anniversary of Israeli strikes that killed senior commanders last year, as its leader Naim Qassem vowed the group would not abandon the battlefield or surrender its weapons.
"We remain steadfast and ready for martyrdom; we will not leave the field, and we will not relinquish our arms," Qassem told thousands gathered in Beirut's southern suburbs, the group's stronghold.
The ceremony commemorated leaders killed in the September-October 2024 strikes, including its long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah and his deputy, Hashem Safieddine.
Qassem said Israel's assassination campaign against Hezbollah's leadership had failed to weaken the group, which he said quickly replaced fallen commanders, reorganized its structures, and sustained pressure on the battlefield until a ceasefire took effect in late November.
He also rejected calls for Hezbollah to disarm, saying its arsenal was vital to defend Lebanon against Israel. Lebanon's government this month approved a plan to disarm all non-state actors by the end of 2025, a move backed by Washington and Israel that has deepened political divisions and stirred fears of instability.
A ceasefire brokered by the United States and France has held since Nov. 27, 2024, following more than a year of cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the agreement, Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying they target "Hezbollah threats." ■
