Translated by Al-Ahed News, Hezbollah Media Relations

The full speech of Hezbollah Secretary General His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem commemorating the 9^th martyrdom anniversary of the jihadi leader Sayyed Mustafa Badreddine on May 12, 2025.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May prayers and salutations be upon the most deserving of creatures, our Master and beloved leader, Abu al-Qasim Muhammad, upon his pure and noble family, upon his chosen and pious companions, and upon all the prophets and righteous until the Day of Judgment.

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.

We are now marking the 9^th martyrdom anniversary of the great jihadi leader, Sayyed Mustafa Badreddine [Zulfiqar].

On this occasion, I offer my condolences and congratulations to his noble family, to the people of the resistance, and to all those who hold this mujahid and the fighters of the Islamic Resistance close to their hearts, wherever they may be.

I also take this opportunity to offer my condolences for all the martyrs in occupied Palestine, proud Lebanon, beloved Yemen, generous Iraq, steadfast Iran, and in every place where lives have been given in the cause of resistance and its sacrifices.

My congratulations and condolences go out to all the loved ones, to the families, to all those who surround and support them.

Today, we will speak about Sayyed Mustafa Badreddine, the great jihadi commander, and also about the general political situation.

I will begin by speaking about the great jihadi leader.

He was born in 1961, and when he was martyred in 2016, he was 55 years old. With the victory of the blessed Islamic Revolution in 1979, he was very active in demonstrations and events celebrating this triumph—despite being only 17 years old at the time.

When the great religious authority, Sayyed Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr—may God’s mercy be upon him—was martyred, he was among those who fought and confronted the Iraqi Baath regime in defense and in retaliation. He was just 19 years old.

In 1982, when the “Israeli” invasion took place, he was among the first to fight in Khaldeh, at the entrance to Beirut. He was wounded then and was only 21.

From a very young age, he was on the front lines—defending, resisting, and fighting for just causes, foremost among them the Palestinian cause and confronting the “Israeli” enemy.

He was imprisoned in Kuwait from 1983 to 1990, for seven years, but he instilled fear in his jailers rather than being intimidated by them. He served as a direct military commander for Hezbollah from 1995 to 1999—a span of four years.

He was targeted during the “Grapes of Wrath” operation in 1996, and he led the Ansariya operation in 1997, personally overseeing every step taken by the mujahideen in that famous mission.

He played a leading role in Syria for five years, managing the security and military operations there. He went to Syria for the sake of the resistance—its path, its cause, and its protection. His involvement was never part of any internal conflict.

And today, we reaffirm that we want a united Syria for all its people—a Syria where its citizens cooperate with one another, form their own leadership and governments according to their will, with everyone’s participation. This must be done away from purges, revenge, and the targeting of Alawite, Druze and Christian minorities, as is happening at the hands of some factions.

We want Syria to remain whole and united. We also strongly condemn the repeated “Israeli” aggression, and we place great hope in the proud, heroic, Arab, and Islamic Syrian people—that they will prevent “Israel” from achieving its objectives in Syria.

This great jihadi commander is one of the many exemplary figures who have served on this front.

Allah Almighty says: {Those who have believed, emigrated, and strived in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. It is they who will triumph.} [At-Tawbah 20]

He was a close friend and brother of the great commander, Martyr Imad Mughniyeh—may God’s mercy be upon him—and he worked alongside the commander of the Axis of Resistance, Martyr Qassem Soleimani—may God’s mercy be upon him. He also served under the leadership and direction of the Sayyed of the Nation’s Martyrs, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah—may God’s mercy be upon him.

This martyred leader possessed both political and strategic awareness. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2005 and was fluent in English. With a practical and analytical mind, he led difficult negotiations to secure the release of Lebanese, Palestinian and Arab prisoners from “Israeli” occupation prisons.

He was skilled in psychological and media warfare and highly meticulous in his organizational leadership. When Sayyed Hadi, the son of His Eminence the Secretary General—Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Sayyed of the Nation’s Martyrs—was martyred, he organized the live media coverage of the event. It became a model of powerful and moving media presence at the time.

He was both firm and respected, carrying out his responsibilities with authority and dignity. He cared deeply for his fellow brothers—educationally, socially, and personally—which earned him their love and loyalty. There is no doubt that he was a true battlefield commander, possessing strength, courage, and capability. He stands as one of the distinguished figures among the victorious leaders of the Islamic Resistance.

I now move to the broader political context, and here are the main points:

First: What are we facing?

We are confronting a Zionist project that has been unfolding in our region since 1948—that is, for more than 77 years. This project benefits from immense military power and is backed by the United States and Western countries with every available means, resource, and capability. The goal is to implant a colonial entity in the region—one that seeks expansion and aims to reshape the Middle East into a new order that serves its interests.

Over the years, “Israel” has persistently tried to devour Palestine piece by piece: starting with the 1948 territories, then moving to the rest of Palestine in 1967, and later eyeing lands in neighboring Arab countries. And it has never retreated from any area except when confronted by resistance and struggle. In truth, “Israel’s” objective has always been full and comprehensive expansion.

But Gaza—the symbol of steadfastness, pride, sacrifice, and resilience—rose to the challenge and launched the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation under the leadership of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian factions, and the courageous, resisting people in all their diversity. Gaza has succeeded in exposing and revealing the true face of this usurping entity—an entity that practices genocide, seeks to eliminate human life, destroy cities and extinguish any trace of existence, even to the point of slaughtering children.

What we are witnessing today is not merely a war on Gaza—it is a deliberate massacre of the displaced, targeting children, women, men, and civilians huddled in tents. Since the beginning of March, they have been subjected to systematic starvation, all under the watchful eyes of the world and with the direct support and sponsorship of the United States. This reflects a calculated and deliberate decision to crush the spirit of resistance and strip the rightful owners of the land of any means to reclaim it.

But this is impossible. They want to eliminate the resistance in Gaza, and for the past year and seven months, they have committed atrocities that are condemned globally and morally—yet they have failed to achieve their goal. Netanyahu seeks to extinguish life in occupied Palestine, specifically in Gaza, in order to crush the resistance and destroy any hope for the future. But he has failed—and he will continue to fail, no matter how long he drags this war on—because the Palestinian people are a people of resistance, a people of rightful ownership, of faith, of sacrifice, and of generosity. It is impossible for Netanyahu, even if the whole world stood with him, to strip the Palestinians of their land, their rights, and their future—even if he keeps going until the end of his term. This is a people who have offered tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded and who have given everything they possess to remain dignified and proud.

In Lebanon, you know that after the “Israeli” invasion on May 17, 1983, “Israel” tried to impose an agreement on Lebanon—a humiliating agreement that placed numerous conditions on the country, stripped it of its sovereignty, and gave “Israel” free rein to act as it wished inside Lebanon. The agreement had many shameful details. At the time, the balance of power was not in Lebanon’s favor. Only two MPs—Zaher El-Khatib and Najah Wakim—stood in Parliament to oppose the May 17 Agreement, and it nearly passed. But thanks to the influential and resistant popular stance—from the scholars, the people, political forces, Syria, and all who stood in solidarity with the Lebanese struggle against the “Israeli” enemy—by God’s grace, that agreement was brought down. This was another attempt by “Israel” to take a bite out of Lebanon, just like in Gaza—but it failed.

“Israel” continued its occupation and even created the so-called South Lebanon Army, hoping to gradually take control in a different way. But in 2000, Lebanon witnessed full liberation— “Israel” was forced to withdraw, and it failed in its attempt to seize any part of the country.

Then in 2006, “Israel” tried again. But once more, it failed. The resistance triumphed through the unity of the army, the people, and the resistance. From that point on, “Israel” was effectively blocked from making any further advances.

I often hear this question: “What has the resistance in Lebanon actually achieved?” Especially now, as people reflect on the heavy sacrifices of this current phase—thousands of martyrs, destroyed homes, immense losses—they ask, “What has the resistance done to justify its continuation?”

The resistance has, from 1982 until before the most recent aggression, prevented “Israel” from seizing any Lebanese land. It prevented “Israel” from imposing a humiliating agreement on Lebanon. It stopped “Israel” from acting with impunity and from pressuring Lebanon at will. From 2006 until 2023—a full 17 years—“Israel” was deterred and unable to act. During that time, southern Lebanon and the country as a whole experienced economic growth and stability thanks to that deterrence.

So yes, the resistance has delivered real, tangible achievements in Lebanon. It has blocked “Israel” at every turn. Otherwise, had “Israel” been able to take small parts of Lebanon every few years, where would the country be today? What would its situation look like? This is what the resistance has prevented.

Now, in the Uli al-Ba’as Battle [the Battle of the Mighty], the Resistance has demonstrated legendary resilience. It has stopped “Israel” from advancing. The Lebanese people, the Lebanese army, and all those standing with the resistance have made sacrifices, endured injuries, captivity, and pain—all to ensure that “Israel” fails to achieve its goals in Lebanon.

Yes, “Israel” still holds on to five hills or a limited area—but that area could easily have been Beirut, or Sidon, or other parts of the country, had it not been for the resistance and its unwavering confrontation.

These are real accomplishments. This is a living, undeniable reality. And that is why we say: the resistance is necessary—it is essential.

What is the resistance?

The Resistance is a defensive choice. It is a political vision. It is tied to the liberation of the land, to dignity, to independence, and to steadfastness. This is the resistance we call upon everyone to preserve.

On the other hand, surrendering to threats and submitting to pressure represents a very different path—a path of humiliation, of yielding, of accepting the logic of brute force. But we stand with the logic of justice, not the logic of power. It is with the logic of justice that we embrace the resistance and persist in defending our rights, our land, our future, our youth, our nation and our generations to come.

Those who choose surrender and bow under the guise of “power” have made their choice—and they must bear responsibility for it. As for us, we refuse to live in disgrace. We will always walk with our heads held high. We are people of justice, and the people of justice are always victorious and always on the front lines.

We have always said—and we will always say—that we believe in either victory or martyrdom. On what basis? On the basis of our commitment to justice, the liberation of land, and the liberation of humankind.

Victory is a form of triumph—and martyrdom is also a triumph. For martyrdom prevents the enemy from achieving its goals, and it paves the way for future generations to continue the struggle. The enemy may strike, but it will never win.

Whoever believes in victory or martyrdom walks the path of Imam Hussein—peace be upon him—who refused to surrender, refused to retreat, and refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid, despite being outnumbered and under-equipped. The result was that he was martyred on the battlefield, yet his movement, his direction, and his convictions have endured through the ages.

And here we are today, the children of Imam Hussein—peace be upon him—following his path, carrying his vision, embodying his dignity, his honor, his status, and his devotion to God Almighty. On this very path, we offered the Sayyed of the Nation’s Martyrs, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah—may God’s mercy be upon him—who embodied this path. His martyrdom is a light that guides us forward. His martyrdom is for the sake of strengthening the resistance with dignity and might. His martyrdom calls us to unite on a single front—to protect our land and reclaim it, to preserve our honor, our dignity, and our independence. This is a cause we will never abandon.

With faith, we know: the resistance is always victorious—through the blood of its martyrs and the sacrifices made. As for the enemy, it is always defeated. Allah Almighty says in His Noble Book: {[O Prophet!] Tell the disbelievers, “Soon you will be overpowered and driven to Hell—what an evil place to rest!”}

How long can the “Israelis” hold out? How many more maneuvers can they carry out? How much more support can they receive? How much longer can they continue killing? How long will Netanyahu remain in power? Things will not stay the way they are.

It’s true we cannot determine the exact timing, but in the end, they will lose—so long as we remain standing, so long as we remain steadfast. We cannot grant them a sense of victory while they are failing and retreating.

We will continue to stand firm, and the enemy will grow desperate in the face of our endurance and our sacrifices. What the enemy is doing only deepens our commitment to our principles and our strength—because we know that the stronger we are, the more we can attain in dignity, honor, and independence, as proven over the past 44 years. But when there is retreat or abandonment, everything is lost—and that will never be our path.

The second point: On November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement was reached—indirectly—between the Lebanese state and the “Israeli” entity, under international sponsorship involving the United States, France, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon [UNIFIL].

The agreement stipulated a ceasefire, with obligations on both Lebanon and the “Israeli” entity. Lebanon fulfilled all its commitments. The Islamic Resistance and all honorable resistance fighters fully adhered to the ceasefire south of the Litani River and enabled the Lebanese army to deploy its forces, making it the sole armed presence responsible for maintaining security in the area. This was implemented fully by both the Lebanese state and the Resistance, with global acknowledgment and no exceptions.

Meanwhile, “Israel” did not withdraw. “Israel” did not cease its aggression. “Israel” violated the agreement over 3,000 times—something that has been documented and is publicly acknowledged. Even the commander of UNIFIL stated clearly that Lebanon is in full compliance, whereas “Israel” is not.

The ceasefire took place only because the “Israeli” enemy had reached a dead end—continuing the war had become futile. We, too, were convinced that there was no benefit in continuing the war, and therefore, in coordination with the Lebanese state, we agreed to the ceasefire.

So, what is the enemy’s current objective?

The enemy wants to eliminate the Resistance. That was the very reason it launched the war in the first place—and why we engaged in the Uli Al-Ba’as Battle [the Battle of the Mighty]. The entire project is built on trying to end the Resistance. But they failed to achieve that through war, and a ceasefire agreement was reached.

Now, they believe that by continuing their pressure and aggression, they can eliminate the Resistance politically—by pressuring the Lebanese state to, in turn, pressure Hezbollah across Lebanon and strip it of its capabilities and strength.

But that has not happened. If you could not eliminate the Resistance through war, do you really expect to succeed now—after the ceasefire—through pressure and violations? That is simply impossible.

The recent “Israeli” aggression on Nabatiyeh and Iqlim al-Tuffah was a blatant escalation. This is playing with fire. And it will not allow “Israel” to gain anything or achieve its objectives. This is a matter that demands firm action from the Lebanese state and from the sponsors of the ceasefire—the United States, France and all those involved.

We believe that this current phase—following the ceasefire—is one of responsibility for the Lebanese state. The state has taken it upon itself to implement the ceasefire and to fulfill the obligations related to the Lebanese side, and we supported the state in upholding that commitment. But now, it must apply more pressure. It must take more action.

And let it be known—clearly—to the “Israelis” and to those behind them: we will not bow to threats or pressure. Even if the whole world comes together to strip us of our rights and our land, we will not surrender. We will confront them with every means of resistance available, suited to the stage we are in. But surrender is not an option. Delete the word surrender from your dictionary—so long as the Resistance exists, that will never happen, God willing.

Let me draw your attention to a crucial point: if anyone thinks we are being isolated in Lebanon right now, and that everyone is closing in on us—trying to apply pressure through different means to force us to retreat or abandon our strength and our Resistance—without detailed coordination with the Lebanese state on matters of Lebanon’s protection and strength, they are delusional. That will not happen, no matter how intense the pressure may be. And if anyone believes that this pressure will push us out of the equation—they are gravely mistaken.

I want to draw your attention to something important: today, Lebanon is moving toward stability. What stands in the way of that stability is “Israel” and its aggression. And if certain parties in Lebanon choose to align with the “Israeli” enemy, they are dragging the country’s political, economic, and social stability toward the edge of collapse.

Lebanon cannot be stable by isolating one of its components, by attempting to single out and pressure the Resistance to make concessions it should never make—especially after all it has sacrificed, while “Israel” has failed to honor any of its commitments.

If you’re serious about solutions, then start by demanding that “Israel” fulfill its obligations and implement its part of the agreement. As for internal matters, we’re open to dialogue. We have no issue with the president, nor with any Lebanese factions. But for someone to believe that the state can function, and stability can be achieved while we are sidelined, isolated, and pressured from both outside and inside—that is simply not realistic. Stability in this country requires cooperation among all of us. It requires that we all live with dignity and security, side by side.

I want to speak directly to the supporters of the Resistance:

You stood tall with us during the Uli al-Ba’as [the Battle of the Mighty]—with pride, strength, honor, sacrifice and unwavering resolve. And you stood just as strong during the ceasefire, remaining in your villages, resilient and united.

This experience—both in battle and after the ceasefire—proved something vital: we are strong on the ground. We are capable of facing threats and preventing the enemy from achieving its goals.

You are the ones who defeat the enemy and break its grip. You are the ones who reclaim the land with your steadfastness. You are Lebanon’s future—alongside the Resistance, the Army, and a people who long for true independence and dignity. Let no one think they can divide us or dampen our determination.

As for that small group in Lebanon who, through their statements and actions, serve “Israel’s” interests—let us be clear: don’t be “Israel’s” mouthpiece. You’re not helping Lebanon. You’re harming it. You’re stalling progress, undermining unity, and damaging the country’s prospects.

And just so it’s understood—those who serve “Israel” from within aren’t actually helping it. They create instability, and that instability backfires—on “Israel”, not on us.

Don’t make excuses for “Israel”. Is it really acceptable to claim that the bombing of Nabatieh had nothing to do with Lebanon? That the people killed weren’t part of Lebanon’s reality? Who in their right mind could say such a thing or take such a position?

In any case, those who serve “Israel” are well known to us. Their history is tainted; their actions have fueled division and brought destruction to Lebanon. Time and again, they’ve harmed their own communities, their supporters, and their society.

Have mercy—on yourselves and on the country. These individuals stir up unrest out of nothing. Meanwhile, Lebanon is making progress: we’re moving forward with economic development, administrative reforms, and municipal elections. The country is trying to transition into a new phase.

At the same time, as we confront the “Israeli” aggression, there are growing calls to stop the attacks. Yet these same voices turn around and say, “No, you must act first. ‘Israel’ is justified.” By doing so, they stoke internal tension—at a time when our focus should be twofold: confronting “Israel’s” violations and rebuilding our country.

Those who serve “Israel” are making a grave mistake. To them we say: return to your sense of patriotism, return to your Lebanese identity. Let us work together and be true partners in building this country.

Another important point: today, we are entering a new era under the leadership of President General Aoun. This new era brings with it great hopes. No one should think that this new era aims to eliminate others or sideline anyone. On the contrary, we are partners in it—we are an integral part of this new phase. As Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, we played a major role in the election of President Joseph Aoun and proved to everyone that we are committed to rebuilding the country and moving it forward.

What’s happening in Lebanon now is a new chapter of national reconstruction and revival. We are fully invested in this new era, and we share in all its potential benefits. When there is renewed openness to Arab and international relations, and when ties are restored or improved, it is because we are part of that conviction. We want Arab countries to return to Lebanon. We want the international community to cooperate with Lebanon. We want those who distanced themselves in the past for various reasons to return—because we believe in mutual interests. Why shouldn’t these interests benefit everyone? So, whatever good comes to Lebanon, we are partners in it.

But I say to those countries: do not impose choices that harm Lebanon. Do not favor one side over another unfairly. You are welcome to pursue your interests in Lebanon—by all means—but also respect our right as Lebanese to pursue ours. Let’s engage on equal footing, state to state, partner to partner. That should be clear to all.

Just to be clear—we didn’t start showing real positivity toward the new presidency only after it began. In fact, we’ve been acting responsibly and constructively for Lebanon since the government of Prime Minister Mikati. On November 27, 2024, the ceasefire agreement between the Lebanese state and the “Israeli” entity was reached indirectly. We fully committed to that agreement and supported the state in implementing it—this was a month and a half before the new president was elected. A month and a half of full commitment.

This proves that we are moving toward strengthening and supporting the state and its institutions, and that we are an inseparable part of it. It also shows our intent to help drive progress in every area—economic, social, and political. And we’ve continued to follow through on that commitment ever since.

Let me repeat this so it’s not forgotten by those in charge—there are three priorities that must be pursued simultaneously:

First, ending the “Israeli” aggression: this includes the repeated air violations, ongoing occupation and the issue of Lebanese prisoners. This is a fundamental matter, and the Lebanese state must exert all its efforts to address it.

Second, reconstruction: this is the government’s duty, and it must begin now. I call on the Lebanese government to put this issue at the top of the agenda for its very next session. This cannot be delayed—there’s no excuse. At the very least, the government must lay out a general framework and initial steps, including the formation of a relevant committee or committees. We’ve been contacted by several Arab and non-Arab countries expressing readiness to offer support. But they all say the same thing: Tell us how you’re going to start. Lay out the framework for how Lebanon plans to move forward. It is our responsibility, as the Lebanese government and state, to define that framework. I urge that this be treated as a top priority.

Third, the broader goal of building the state—economically and socially. That includes returning depositors’ funds and addressing the needs of the Lebanese people in all areas.

I congratulate the Lebanese people on the municipal and mayoral elections that took place in Mount Lebanon, as well as in the North and Tripoli. These elections, by the way they were conducted and the enthusiasm shown, demonstrated the Lebanese people’s genuine commitment to building the state. We were among the first to encourage and insist that the elections be held on time.

We also achieved notable successes through cooperation between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement in many towns, especially in Mount Lebanon, where we prioritized consensus. We presented a leading example of preserving coexistence and promoting collaboration, particularly through the experience in Haret Hreik. There, the elected president is Christian, and the council members were distributed proportionately through agreement between Hezbollah, Amal and the local forces.

We also believe Beirut should reflect this same principle of inclusive representation — ensuring all sects and communities are fairly represented, without it being just about numbers or political calculations. We fully support this path and have already contributed a model worth following.

I conclude by congratulating Yemen on its victory over the United States and for remaining a beacon of light and a steadfast supporter of Palestine. This great Yemen—with its people, leadership, sacrifices, martyrs, wounded, and generous spirit—managed to force the US to halt its aggression, against its will, and continued in its conviction to strike the “Israeli” entity in defense of Gaza. All respect to these honorable people.

Salutations as well to the blessed Islamic Republic of Iran, which raises the banner of freedom and consistently works to support our causes in the region. We are proud of our relationship with it, under the leadership of Imam Khamenei, following in the path of Imam Khomeini [may God sanctify his soul].

May peace and Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

Monday, May 12, 2025

14 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1446 AH