Hezbollah: Syria’s Stabilization Key to Resistance’s Future
Qassem: Ceasefire a Tactical Halt, Not the End of Resistance
Summary
Key Points from
Resilience and Strategic Success: Qassem emphasized that despite significant sacrifices, Hezbollah's resistance prevented Israel from achieving its primary goals, framing this as a victory for the movement.
Critique of Israeli Aggression: He described the Israeli aggression as part of a broader expansionist project, aiming to eliminate resistance across the region.
Commitment to Resistance: Qassem reaffirmed Hezbollah's unwavering commitment to its resistance, highlighting it as the only viable path against Israeli expansionism.
Future Outlook: He outlined a five-point program focusing on reconstruction, governance reforms, and continued defense against Israel.
Position on Syria: Qassem expressed cautious optimism for Syria’s stabilization while reaffirming Hezbollah’s stance on supporting resistance movements.
Analysis
In his mid-December speech, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem positioned the movement as a cornerstone of Lebanese resilience against Israeli aggression. He began by framing the recent Israeli attacks as a calculated attempt to crush the resistance, stating, “The enemy seeks to eliminate the resistance, which stands in the way of its expansion project across the region.” This acknowledgment underscores Hezbollah’s strategic perspective that the conflict is part of a broader geopolitical struggle rather than an isolated incident.
“The enemy seeks to eliminate the resistance, which stands in the way of its expansion project across the region.”
Qassem highlighted the toll of the conflict, noting that Israel’s war led to the deaths of senior Hezbollah leaders, including "the honorable leader of the martyrs of the nation, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah." However, he framed these sacrifices as necessary for the resistance’s survival, asserting, “The sacrifices of resistance strengthen its resolve…this is the price for ensuring its continuity.” This framing aligns with Hezbollah’s narrative of martyrdom and perseverance as integral to its identity and mission.
“The sacrifices of resistance strengthen its resolve…this is the price for ensuring its continuity.”
The speech also sought to portray Hezbollah’s actions as a strategic success, arguing that the group effectively thwarted Israel’s objectives. Qassem declared, “We prevented the enemy from annihilating and crushing the resistance…their missiles reached the enemy’s interior, causing them great pain and displacing more than 200,000 settlers.” By emphasizing these outcomes, he aimed to showcase Hezbollah’s operational capabilities and its ability to inflict tangible costs on Israel despite asymmetries in power.
“We prevented the enemy from annihilating and crushing the resistance…their missiles reached the enemy’s interior, causing them great pain and displacing more than 200,000 settlers.”
A notable segment of the speech tackled internal criticisms regarding the heavy losses endured by Hezbollah and Lebanon. In response, Qassem shifted blame to Israel’s aggression, asking, “What can we do about this great aggression? Aggression is the problem, not resistance.” He further invoked Quranic verses to rally morale, saying, “Do not weaken or grieve; you will be superior if you are true believers.” This religious framing served to bolster the movement’s ideological foundation and galvanize its supporters.
Addressing the ceasefire brokered with Israel, Qassem acknowledged it was driven by Hezbollah’s resilience and sacrifices. He identified three key factors that forced Israel to halt its aggression: “The legendary steadfastness of the fighters on the battlefield,” the sacrifices of martyrs, and “the integrated, effective political and military leadership in managing the battle.” He explicitly stated, “This agreement is to stop the aggression, not to end the resistance,” positioning the truce as a tactical pause rather than a concession.
“This agreement is to stop the aggression, not to end the resistance.”
Looking ahead, Qassem laid out Hezbollah’s priorities for the coming phase in a five-point program. This includes implementing the UN-backed agreement in southern Lebanon, participating in reconstruction efforts, advancing governance reforms, and engaging in dialogue on Lebanon’s defense strategy. Notably, he emphasized Hezbollah’s role in rebuilding and reforming Lebanon, stating, “We aim to be key partners in building the state…through anti-corruption efforts and economic recovery programs.”
On the regional front, Qassem reiterated Hezbollah’s support for Syria as a critical ally in the resistance axis. While acknowledging changes in Syria’s political landscape, he expressed hope for continued collaboration, saying, “We wish for a stable Syria that cooperates with Lebanon on the basis of equality and shared interests.” This reflects Hezbollah’s adaptive approach to regional dynamics while maintaining its broader resistance objectives.
Excerpt on Syria: We supported Syria because it was in a position of opposing Israel and contributed to strengthening the resistance’s capabilities through its territories for Lebanon and Palestine. However, the regime has now fallen into the hands of new forces. We cannot judge these new forces until they stabilize, adopt clear positions, and the situation of the regime in Syria becomes more organized. From this perspective, we express our views and hopes for the future.
We hope that the new regime, along with the Syrian people, chooses cooperation between the two peoples and governments of Lebanon and Syria on the basis of equality and mutual exchange of resources. Furthermore, we hope that all parties in Syria, including all sects and components of society, participate in shaping and joining the new government so that governance in Syria is based on the principles of citizenship rather than sectarian or factional divisions. Additionally, we hope that the new ruling authority continues to view Israel as an enemy and avoids normalizing relations with it.
These factors will ultimately shape the nature of the relationship between us and Syria. The Syrian people have the right to choose their leadership, government, constitution, and future. We wish them success in making independent choices that are not dictated by foreign countries with influence in Syria, especially those that aim to serve the Israeli enemy.
While Hezbollah has lost its military supply route through Syria during this phase, this loss remains a minor detail in the broader resistance effort. It is possible that the new regime could restore this route naturally, or alternative routes may be found. The resistance remains flexible and does not rely on a single approach. Its continuity is paramount, and it must adapt its methods and strategies to evolving circumstances to strengthen its capabilities.
We do not believe that the ongoing events in Syria will negatively impact Lebanon. On the contrary, Syria is currently preoccupied with its own internal circumstances. We hope, God willing, that Syria will emerge stable, at ease, and aligned with the aspirations of its people.
Qassem also framed the resistance as a long-term struggle, emphasizing adaptability and resilience: “This resistance does not win by a decisive blow but through cumulative efforts…resistance may last for ten or fifty years.” This perspective reinforces Hezbollah’s strategic patience and its commitment to evolving tactics based on situational demands.
“This resistance does not win by a decisive blow but through cumulative efforts…resistance may last for ten or fifty years.”
His speech underscored Hezbollah’s steadfastness in the face of adversity, its commitment to resistance, and its vision for Lebanon’s future. By blending operational achievements, ideological principles, and pragmatic strategies, he sought to solidify Hezbollah’s position as both a military force and a socio-political actor in Lebanon. His closing remarks reinforced this dual identity: “Hezbollah is strong, recovering from its wounds, and remains steadfast…we continue to defend Lebanon and its people through resistance, unity, and resilience.”