The Full Speech of Sheikh Qassem at the Opening Ceremony of the Lebanon Medical Center

Translated by Al-Ahed News, Hezbollah Media Relations

Address by Hezbollah Secretary General His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem at the Opening Ceremony of the Lebanon Medical Center – Hadath on February 9, 2026.

In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the noblest of creation, our master, our beloved, and our leader, the Messenger of God, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his pure and immaculate Household, his chosen and righteous companions, and upon all the prophets, messengers, the righteous, and the martyrs until the Day of Judgment. Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

Today, we inaugurate the main center for hospitalization, the Lebanon Medical Center—a comprehensive university hospital that brings together multiple functions at once. It includes large, expanded, diverse, and highly specialized departments. Following this introduction, we will speak about the center and its opening, and then address the broader political situation.

This center comes as part of a long-term path adopted by Hezbollah to ensure access to hospitalization and healthcare across different regions. It is a form of giving, not a temporary or passing phase. The Lebanon Medical Center is part of a broader set of health projects aimed at meeting the needs of the people and the wider community. As God the Exalted says, “Whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.” [Al-Maidah, 32]

And in the well-known saying of the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, “There are two blessings that are often taken for granted: health and security.”

We need health in society, and we need to provide the appropriate means and pathways so that people can feel at ease in their well-being and health. This, in turn, affects their productivity, their work, and their lives. Our Imam, Imam Ali [AS] said: “Blessed life in this world lies in security and bodily health, and the completion of blessing in the Hereafter is entry into Paradise.”

Thus, in this world, health holds a vital place alongside security. Accordingly, through Hezbollah, we work to provide this essential pillar to the extent of our ability. Ultimately, the primary responsibility for ensuring healthcare rests with the state, but through social services, we seek to offer support and stand in assistance.

This center was a matter of great concern to His Eminence, the Sayyed of the Nation’s Martyrs, Sayyed Hassan. It was launched during his tenure and under his direct supervision, and it was also closely followed by His Eminence Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, who was responsible for implementation and health-related affairs. This all falls within the same framework long emphasized by the Sayyed of the Resistance’s Martyrs, Sayyed Abbas Al-Mousawi, who used to say, “We will serve you with the utmost devotion and humility.” This is part of our commitment to community service.

I would like to draw attention to something: we do not work in healthcare, social services, shelter provision, reconstruction, or any other field except out of a sense of duty toward the people. This is not about gaining additional supporters, not about winning elections, and not about building a power base or expanding a following. Rather, it is a fundamental pillar for anyone engaged in social work, for anyone working among the people, and for anyone involved in political leadership. It must be a constant and ongoing commitment throughout the year – and this is what we do in Hezbollah.

This center treats all types of cancer. It also includes nuclear medicine – so let no one place us on sanctions lists simply because we mentioned “nuclear,” as nuclear medicine is widely recognized as a peaceful and legitimate field. In addition, the center provides bone marrow transplantation and advanced robotic surgeries for the brain and various tumors. In other words, the treatments available at this center are highly advanced and specialized, and such services remain limited in Lebanon compared to other healthcare facilities.

Another key feature of this center is that it helps ease the financial burden on patients, as the fees required are close to cost. It is a large and impressive facility, diverse in its departments and equipped to a very high standard. Some of its equipment was manufactured this very year and incorporates the latest developments in AI and digital technologies, all aimed at delivering important, rapid, accurate and reliable results.

For us, healthcare is a life mission and a trust to serve people—a commitment to preserving and protecting human life. We serve out of our religious and moral duty, and we invest in health as an investment in the resilience of society and the dignity of its people. In truth, this is part of the broader process of steadfastness, as we face challenges, aggression, and numerous dangers—not only those related to ordinary medical needs, but also the consequences of “Israeli”-American aggression.

This center is being inaugurated under the most difficult circumstances, not in ordinary times. Here, we must commend the medical, nursing, and administrative staff, as they form the essential pillar for the success of this project.

Thank God, there are highly specialized and capable professionals with deep-rooted experience, able to compete at the highest levels. There is quality here—and alongside professional excellence, there is compassion and humanity, which are fundamental to medical work. There is also a commitment to the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and quality.

This center is therefore an integral part of strengthening health security. I thank everyone involved in this effort, and God willing, it will yield results very soon. It is located in a densely populated area in need of these specialties. Of course, the center serves the surrounding region as well as all of Lebanon, since patients naturally seek treatment wherever it is available, regardless of geography. The center is open to everyone seeking care, and we ask God to grant you continued progress and prosperity, and to enable the provision of strong and reliable health security services.

Let me now turn to the broader political discussion.

First, Lebanon possesses tremendous potential—among its people, in its geography, and in its practical capacities—to be an advanced and thriving country. We often celebrate Lebanon for its geography, its beauty, its diversity, its water resources, and the talents and capabilities it holds. All of these elements create a sense of vibrancy and vitality.

We take pride in its geographic location, both in terms of political influence and as a bridge in economic and commercial spheres. We are proud of the Lebanese diaspora, whose enduring connection to their homeland—through support and contribution—gives Lebanon a significant presence and confidence on the global stage. Despite its small geographic size, Lebanon has managed to preserve its independence, liberate its land, and present a powerful model of dignity, humanity, sacrifice and giving.

There is also diversity at both the sectarian and popular levels. This diversity fosters communication, cooperation, and mutual understanding, giving Lebanon a role as a message, a civilizational example, and a country that brings together varied capacities and strengths.

This is how we see Lebanon: a country with real and substantial potential. At certain periods, it experienced economic and social progress. Yet successive storms have shaken it, bringing it to its current condition. Still, a country that possesses such capabilities can, with the right direction, rise to the highest ranks and the best of positions.

The central problem facing Lebanon is “Israeli”-American aggression. This aggression covets Lebanon’s economic, social, and demographic capacities—it covers everything—and seeks to absorb the country into its own sphere. “Israel” harbors expansionist ambitions in Lebanon and across the region, relying on force, occupation, criminality and destruction to advance its project at the expense of Lebanon’s progress, existence and sovereign choices.

How can we prevent this aggression? It cannot be stopped with words, nor by relying on the American hegemon. It can only be deterred through strength, solidarity, and unity. The enemy was driven out of Lebanon through force, steadfastness, and the great sacrifices made in previous years. The Resistance, its people, and those aligned with it protected Lebanon for 42 years. From 1982 to 2000, “Israel” failed to secure stability and ultimately withdrew in defeat. From 2000 to 2023, it remained deterred. For those 42 years, this was made possible by the strength with which we confronted “Israel”—the military strength of the Resistance, the solidarity of its popular base, the Lebanese Army standing in harmony with its people, and the political unity within the country around the Resistance.

“Israel’s” project has not stopped. But neither has our belief in Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, nor our determination. The Battle of the Mighty [Uli Al-Bas Battle] halted “Israel’s” momentum. It failed to achieve its objective of eliminating the party as a prelude to the next step—undermining Lebanon itself. These are realities that must remain clear before us.

The major and fundamental problem in Lebanon is “Israeli” aggression. Our attention must first and foremost be directed toward it. The essential solution for Lebanon is to remain strong, to resist, and to unite around this project of confronting “Israel”.

Second, over the past year and three months, the United States has resorted to various methods to undermine Lebanon’s strength and resilience. When it became clear that “Israel” was militarily incapable of subduing Lebanon, the United States stepped in to assist, seeking to achieve through politics what could not be achieved through war.

For nearly 15 months, the American-“Israeli” aggression against Lebanon has continued. I will mention several points to illustrate how this aggression has been carried out and what results it has produced.

The aggression persisted throughout this period with the aim of eliminating the Resistance. The repeated calls to disarm it, strip it of its capabilities, and dismantle its strength—what do these mean? They mean neutralizing Lebanon’s capacity and power, the very power that was able to confront “Israel”. Yet after 15 months, this objective has not been achieved. That is the first point.

Second, major powers, led by the United States, exerted various forms of pressure on Lebanon, its government, and its army to disarm the Resistance. They pushed the Lebanese government toward the ill-fated decision of August 5 under the banner of “exclusive state control over weapons.” However, all this international pressure has failed because, in reality, it lacks constitutional legitimacy and violates the right to self-defense. There are those who have stood firm and said no to these international pressures and refused to endorse the American-“Israeli” project.

From the very first day, there was incitement aimed at sowing discord between the army, the people, and the Resistance. But thanks to the awareness of all three—the army, the Resistance, and the people—this strife was extinguished at its inception. The strife they had sought to ignite, as a means to destabilize the country and dismantle its strength, did not occur.

They blocked reconstruction under the pretext that achieving “exclusive state control over weapons” had to come first. But in reality, the goal of preventing reconstruction was to create a rift between the Resistance and its people—to make people think that the Resistance was the problem and that it was the reason resources and services could not be provided. But praise be to God, they did not succeed, because they do not understand that the Resistance and the people of the Resistance are one. We do not have a Resistance on one side and a people on the other; the Resistance is not separate from the people. The people are the Resistance, and the Resistance is the people. The South is Lebanon, and Lebanon is the South. All those who confront “Israel” do so as the sons and daughters of the land. There is no party alone, no land alone, and no people alone. They failed to break this unity between the Resistance and its people—that is a significant success.

They also imposed an economic and financial blockade and prevented donations, hoping that we would be unable to serve the people, and to make it appear that the crises were caused by us, while the state itself is incapable.

But, thank God, there were many generous and well-intentioned people. With their support, we were able to provide the necessary assistance, stand by our people, and ensure they were not left in a state of defeat or humiliation—praise be to God.

They also tried to create divisions between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, fabricating stories and narratives, taking certain words and statements out of context. But, thank God, the alliance between Hezbollah and Amal is deeply rooted. The leadership meeting that took place a week ago with Speaker Nabih Berri—attended by MP Ali Hassan Khalil, former MP Hajj Mohammad Fneish representing Hezbollah, and the Secretary-General’s political aide Hajj Hussein Khalil—was in fact a routine meeting, not one convened to resolve a dispute. Such meetings are ongoing.

During the meeting, they discussed the elections, how to cooperate and ensure they are held on time, how to accelerate reconstruction, and how to confront the aggression and deal with the impact of regional developments—particularly between the United States and Iran—on Lebanon. All of these issues, among others, were part of a normal and constructive discussion. This meeting will be repeated in the ordinary course of coordination, because in reality, we and the Amal Movement are one body and of one mind on the fundamental national issues facing the country, and we work together accordingly.

“Israel” has killed civilians. Why does it target civilians? Because it seeks to create a rift. It kills civilians: a school principal, a woman and her children, a wounded pager victim and his wife, a municipal worker. It strikes bulldozers and trucks to obstruct reconstruction. It bombs safe residential buildings where there is nothing of military value. It heavily shells valleys and mountains with unusual intensity. In the end, it may be bombing open fields, but the goal is to create an atmosphere of anxiety, chaos, and pressure. It sprays toxic pesticides over farmland to destroy livelihoods, razes frontline villages, and acts in an extremely brutal manner—all to keep the area isolated.

An “Israeli” infantry force entered the town of Habbariyeh and abducted the head of the Islamic Group in the Hasbaya–Marjayoun area from his home, assaulting his wife and children and vandalizing the property in full view of others. What is all this for? It is meant to exert maximum pressure, to eliminate any presence, any force, any voice that says “no” to “Israel” or that might contribute to Lebanon’s recovery and resurgence.

We must understand that they seek to strip Lebanon of all its resources. I want to ask those who say that politics alone can solve the problem and restrain “Israel”: if this is our situation today—with incursions and abductions taking place inside Lebanese territory—what would have happened if we were completely defenseless?

Such actions could have taken place every single day—perhaps even more frequently. And then the question would arise: what can we do about “Israel”? The answer is that we can act. We must remain steadfast. We must remain defiant. We must continue to carry our strength and our capabilities. Look at their various statements and positions—they constantly speak of Greater “Israel” and of expansion.

But, thank God, look at our people in return. Look at our surroundings, at our families—what are they saying? There is a program on Al-Manar TV that I greatly admire, called “And the Land Bears Witness.” The program travels through villages in the South, the Beqaa, the southern suburbs, across Lebanon and Mount Lebanon. Entire villages take part—men and women, children and elders—and the statements are spontaneous and unprepared. Yet they all express one voice, one hand: with the Resistance, with strength, with dignity. Every act of killing, destruction, and “Israeli” brutality only makes people more resilient.

People today are stronger than they were before the Battle of the Mighty [Uli Al-Bas Battle]. Why? Because immense sacrifices have been made along this path. The Sayyed of the Nation’s Martyrs, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah—may God’s pleasure be upon him—was a great historical, global, and universal figure who gave his life for this cause, for this people, for the freedom and liberation of the land, and for the future of Lebanon, Palestine, and the region.

Is it conceivable that the people who love him and stood with him would forget or retreat? Never. They remain firmly committed to this path and to its continuation.

At the same time, pressure on the President of the Republic continues—from major powers and from certain Arab states. Why are they pressuring him? They seek to push him into taking measures that would create a rift between him and us—between the state at its highest level and the Resistance and its supporters. It is true that there may be differences in approach on certain matters. But from a national standpoint, we are united in calling for an end to the aggression. We are united in wanting Lebanon liberated. We are united in rejecting internal strife. We are united in the desire to see Lebanon rise again. No one can drive a wedge between us and the President of the Republic.

Thank God, the visit by the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc to the President was constructive. It focused on follow-up, coordination, organizing areas of disagreement, and confronting challenges through proper state management and the state’s responsibility to protect its people. It was about moving forward together responsibly, and later discussing a broader strategy—namely, a national security strategy—through national cooperation. In this way, we can build a strong and dignified Lebanon together.

Third, despite everything they have done to weaken the trio of national strength—sacrifice, steadfastness, and defense—they have achieved nothing in the face of this patriotic, self-sacrificing, and generous people. “Israel”, the aggressor, together with an overbearing America, cannot strip us of our land, our homeland, or the future of our children.

With steadfastness, there is no defeat. With readiness to defend ourselves, “Israel” cannot achieve its goals. This is a decisive phase—one that will shape the future. Through national unity and cooperation between the state, the army, the government, the people, and the Resistance, we will shape Lebanon’s future.

Any retreat, defeatism, or surrender would remove Lebanon from the map of independent nations. Listen to what they are saying: Netanyahu speaks of “Greater ‘Israel’”, while the American envoy Barrack speaks of Lebanon as a “failed state.”

They all say the same thing—the Americans in particular: there are no guarantees for anything you do. In other words, they want you to concede, to surrender, to give up everything—yet no one offers guarantees, and no one offers anything in return. We are therefore facing a real danger. We must focus on two objectives: first, stopping the aggression in all its forms; and second, rescuing Lebanon from its financial, economic, and social crises.

That is why we need cooperation. We must also resolve our internal challenges and concentrate on these two goals: confronting “Israel” and ending the aggression, and rebuilding our country from within.

Here, we commend the visit of Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam to southern Lebanon. This visit is positive and an important step on the path toward rebuilding the country. Let me say frankly: the most significant part of this visit was his statement, “We will rebuild, and we will not wait for the aggression to stop.” This is what we have consistently called for. Let us rebuild. All of us must rebuild. Every time we restore, repair, and take a step forward, we disrupt their plans. But when we delay, what happens? We end up serving their objectives.

God willing, we will cooperate with the Prime Minister and the government to achieve the necessary progress. Together, we can lift Lebanon. You have a great and self-sacrificing people, deeply attached to their cherished land. Through cooperation, Mr. Prime Minister, we elevate you and you elevate us; your people lift you, and you lift your people. This cooperation is what generates strength through solidarity. The world has converged against Lebanon, yet they have failed to achieve “Israel’s” goals—because we are united, because we are strong, and because we remain steadfast, thanks be to God.

Before I conclude, I call on the Lebanese government to pay urgent attention to Tripoli, this historic and generous Lebanese city. It is unacceptable for buildings to collapse there without decisive and practical action. The situation requires courage and speed. A clear decision must be taken: evacuate the unsafe buildings, provide residents with housing allowances, and ensure they are accommodated with dignity elsewhere until proper treatment and repairs are completed. We must stand with the people of Tripoli—with the residents of Bab Al-Tabbaneh, Al-Qobbeh, and all those who are suffering. This is a national responsibility.

Congratulations to the Lebanon Medical Center for this major achievement—to its staff and everyone working within it—and congratulations to Lebanon for this act of service and dedication.

Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.