BEIRUT, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem on Monday accused the United States of deepening Lebanon's economic crisis and Israel of escalating tensions along the southern border.
In a televised speech, Qassem said U.S. policies had contributed to Lebanon's economic collapse, citing bank failures, the devaluation of the Lebanese pound, and persistent fuel and electricity shortages.
He accused Washington of manipulating local political groups to advance its own interests, describing certain Lebanese elites as "proxies" serving foreign agendas at the expense of national sovereignty.
Qassem also criticized recent U.S.-backed sanctions targeting Hezbollah, arguing that they extend beyond the group and harm the wider population, including social institutions and charities. "These measures aim to pressure the party, but they ultimately restrict aid and services for all citizens," he said.
Turning to Israel, he described recent developments in southern Lebanon as "deliberate provocations" intended to weaken the country's military, political, and economic standing. He condemned alleged Israeli violations of the Blue Line and faulted the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission for failing to prevent them. He warned that any Lebanese actor cooperating with Israel was effectively aiding an occupying force and undermining national independence.
Despite a ceasefire deal reached between Hezbollah and Israel in November 2024, Israel has intensified its airstrikes in recent weeks, citing Lebanon's failure to disarm the group. Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the disarmament demand, saying it remains committed to resisting Israeli actions and protecting Lebanon's territorial integrity. ■
