Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem on Monday reiterated his rejection of the government's plan to restrict arms to the State, accusing the Cabinet of bowing to U.S. and Israeli pressure, and announced a week-long “campaign for sovereignty” aimed at defending the group’s arsenal.

In a televised speech, Qassem argued that Hezbollah’s “resistance” remains essential to Lebanon’s defense.

“The resistance does not prevent aggression; it was created to confront aggression,” Qassem said in a speech laced with attacks on the Cabinet’s “step-for-step” approach. “We call for obliging Israel to implement the ceasefire agreement first, and only then will we discuss the defense strategy.”

Rejecting outright any move to disarm Hezbollah, Qassem claimed Israel had failed to advance beyond “five hilltops” in southern Lebanon thanks to the group’s presence. He warned that without Hezbollah’s fighters, Israel would have reached Beirut “as it did Damascus.”

Launching what he called the “Campaign for Lebanon’s Sovereignty,” Qassem urged supporters to bombard government institutions with proposals and to blanket social media, public spaces, and official websites with demands to reclaim sovereignty.

“Fill social media, fill government websites and those of ministers with calls to restore sovereignty,” he said in an address to Hezbollah supporters.

“If we want to solve Lebanon’s problems, the starting point is halting aggression, securing Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, and releasing prisoners,” he said, urging ministers to hold intensive sessions and calling on political parties, intellectuals, and influencers to “flood the government with ideas.”

Qassem stressed that Hezbollah was not a substitute for the army but its partner, describing critics of the group as “dishonorable and servile.”

“With the 'army, people, and resistance' triology, we have deterred the enemy for 17 years,” he said.

The Hezbollah official accused the government of committing a “sin dictated by Washington and Tel Aviv” by agreeing to confine weapons to the State during what he called “an ongoing Israeli assault.” He lashed out at the United States for sending Lebanon weapons “useful only for internal purposes” while blocking arms capable of confronting Israel.

“May God’s curse be upon the Americans,” he declared.

Qassem alleged that Washington’s push for an economic zone in southern Lebanon was designed to displace residents and serve Israel’s interests.

“They want to hand that land to the Zionist entity,” he said.

In a defiant tone, Qassem vowed Hezbollah would never abandon its weapons.

“This weapon is our honor, our dignity, our land, and the future of our children,” he said. “More than half the Lebanese people are with us, and they will defend this weapon. Whoever demands its removal is demanding we surrender our soul. Then the world will see our power. We will never bow to humiliation.”

Qassem insisted that any roadmap must begin with liberating occupied land, freeing prisoners, and rebuilding destroyed areas before discussing a defense strategy. He underlined that Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, and their allies remained “hand in hand in defense of the weapon that is our dignity and protects us from the enemy.”

Renouncing any compromise, he said: “No more gradualism, no more concessions. Israel must first implement the ceasefire agreement, and only then can we discuss a defense strategy. And to the officials: don’t show weakness or say you will obey. Even if you bow, you will not be able to deliver.”