Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has declared that Israel has "no option" but to withdraw completely from all occupied Lebanese territory, describing recent diplomatic developments involving the United States and Iran as a setback for both Washington and Israel.
Qassem made the remarks during a televised address on Friday, June 26, as thousands of Hezbollah supporters gathered in Beirut's southern suburbs to mark Ashura, one of the holiest days of mourning for Shia Muslims.
Supporters waved Hezbollah and Iranian flags during what was reported to be the group's largest public gathering since the latest regional escalation began.
"Israel has no option but to withdraw completely from every inch of our Lebanese land," Qassem said during his speech.
"Israel must leave unconditionally."
His comments come as diplomatic efforts continue on multiple fronts to ease tensions in the region.
Direct negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli officials are currently taking place in Washington under U.S. mediation. Although a truce announced on April 17 temporarily reduced hostilities, it failed to produce a lasting ceasefire.
A new ceasefire proposal introduced this month has reportedly been linked to broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran. However, Lebanese officials have consistently maintained that talks over the Israel-Lebanon border should remain separate from wider U.S.-Iran discussions.
As Lebanese and Israeli delegations prepare for a fifth round of negotiations in Washington, Qassem insisted Hezbollah would not accept any agreement that includes normalization with Israel.
According to him, the group would accept "no normalization, no cancellation of the state of hostility, and no gains for Israel."
The Hezbollah leader also thanked Iran for its continued support, claiming that the current diplomatic landscape reflects what he described as an admission of failure by both the United States and Israel.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to take a heavy humanitarian toll.
Lebanese authorities say more than 4,200 people have been killed since hostilities escalated, with six additional deaths from Israeli airstrikes reported this week alone.
Among those attending Friday's rally was 48-year-old Abeer Ayash, who said she lost her home and several family members during the conflict but remains committed to supporting Hezbollah.
"I am here today for the resistance fighters in the south who are sacrificing for us and for the entire nation," Ayash said, adding that despite the destruction, "we will not abandon this path."
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