BEIRUT — In a powerful address marking the second anniversary of the martyrdom of the Master of the Martyrs of the Resistance, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and his steadfast successor, Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, Hezbollah Secretary-General His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the movement’s absolute commitment to the path of jihad, Palestine, and the liberation of occupied Lebanese lands.
Speaking at a grand commemoration ceremony on Saturday, Sheikh Qassem described the occasion as one “blessed by the elevated status of the martyrs,” noting that their enduring legacy has gifted the Islamic Resistance and its supporters the resilience to remain unshakeably steadfast against the Zionist enemy and its American backers.
Addressing the soul of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader eloquently captured the inseparable bond between the late Secretary-General and the movement he led for decades.
“You are the resistance, and the resistance is you,” Sheikh Qassem declared, eulogising Sayyed Nasrallah as an eternal symbol of dignity and defiance for the free people of the world. Though he has departed this physical realm, His Eminence left behind a radiant light of giving and teachings that continue to fuel the resolve of the mujahideen.
“We will continue along this Muhammadi-Alawi path, the path of Imam Khomeini, the path of Imam Khamenei, and the path of Imam Musa al-Sadr: the path of Wilayah and jihad,” Sheikh Qassem vowed, asserting that Palestine will eternally remain the compass of the Resistance.
Honouring the Pillars of Jihad
Turning to the martyred Head of the Executive Council, Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, Sheikh Qassem honoured him as a tireless pillar who never grew weary in his service to the Resistance. Despite the abruptness of his martyrdom alongside other great commanders, Sheikh Qassem assured that his steadfast steps remain immortal landmarks on the path of jihad.
The Secretary-General paid profound tribute to the illustrious commanders who have joined the caravan of martyrs, including the founding pillar of the Islamic Resistance, Sayyed Fouad Shukr; the architect of the Radwan Force, Haj Ibrahim Akil; the veteran commander Haj Abed al-Munem Karaki; and the intellectual chief-of-staff, Sayyed Suhail Husseini. He also honoured the “true pillar” Sheikh Nabil Qawouk and the steadfast Iranian commander Abbas Nilforoushan, alongside the 3,400 martyrs from among the fighters and the resilient Lebanese populace.
He also extended a deeply moving tribute to the “living martyrs”—the mujahideen and civilians wounded during the treacherous Zionist pager and device attacks—praising them for setting an unparalleled example of sacrifice.
“We Are True to the Pledge”
Sheikh Qassem announced that Hezbollah’s Shura Council has designated the current era, beginning with the Battle of the People of Might, as the “We are true to the Pledge” phase. This designation signifies an unwavering adherence to the movement’s constants: the courageous, divinely-guided Resistance, the preservation of the martyrs’ trust, and the ultimate liberation of every inch of Lebanese soil.
Addressing the military realities on the ground, His Eminence highlighted the monumental failure of the Zionist entity’s objectives. Despite mobilising 90,000 soldiers and officers, backed by the unlimited capabilities of the United States, the Israeli occupation forces were unable to break the Resistance or establish permanent settlements in Lebanon.
From the legendary steadfastness in Bint Jbeil and Khiam to the fierce defences in Aita al-Shaab, Naqoura, and Ali al-Taher, the Resistance fighters halted advancing brigades and tens of thousands of enemy troops. “Given the immense sacrifices made thus far, we can only continue. We cannot be defeated, and we will continue. Far be it from us to accept humiliation,” Sheikh Qassem stated firmly.
A Rebuke to Defeatists and the State
Sheikh Qassem delivered a scathing critique of the Lebanese authorities and the so-called “sovereigntists” who seek to blame the Resistance for the devastation wrought by Zionist aggression.
“The resistance emerged only because of aggression. Therefore, aggression is the cause, and aggression is the problem,” he asserted, warning that surrendering to the enemy would mean the erasure of Lebanon and the imposition of Zionist settlements.
Rejecting the state’s failed attempts to disarm the Resistance, he stressed that the Lebanese Army is a national institution that should not be weaponised against its own people. Furthermore, he called for an immediate halt to futile direct negotiations with the enemy, urging the state to pivot to indirect negotiations to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Promising that Hezbollah would not leave its people abandoned, Sheikh Qassem announced that the Resistance will soon unveil a major housing project to aid in the reconstruction and restoration of homes destroyed by the Zionist war machine, while simultaneously demanding the state fulfil its constitutional duties to the displaced.
Saluting the Axis of Resistance
Concluding his address, the Hezbollah Secretary-General praised the heroic and martyred Islamic Republic of Iran and its Supreme Leader, Imam Ali Khamenei, for their unwavering support. He also offered a resounding salute to the Yemeni people and Ansar Allah for their historic, strategic defence of Palestine, Lebanon, and the entire Axis.
“Turning to Palestine, she is the symbol and the face of the future,” Sheikh Qassem affirmed, praising the great, sacrificing Palestinian people.
Returning to his eulogy of the Master of the Martyrs, Sheikh Qassem closed with the immortal words that now define his legacy:
“You are the resistance, and the resistance is you, and you have become its symbol for the free people of the world.”