Qassem calls for rejecting concessions, and "Hezbollah" launches 21 attacks in response to Israeli violations

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem issued a clear call to Lebanese state officials on the necessity of ceasing to offer what he described as "free concessions" to the Israeli occupation under the current circumstances. Qassem affirmed in a handwritten message broadcast today, Friday, that the resistance will not stop playing its role until the last breath, stressing the rejection of returning to the previous arrangements that were in place before the current escalation.

Qassem clarified in his message that solidarity between the state, the army, the people, and the resistance is the only way to protect Lebanon and restore its full sovereignty and expel the occupier from the territories it has encroached upon. He pointed out that the occupation failed militarily to achieve its declared goals in the ground invasion, which prompted it to repeatedly change its strategies and military objectives in the face of the steadfastness of the fighters in the field.

Hezbollah's Secretary-General accused the Israeli army of resorting to "bloody criminality" and targeting civilians in villages and densely populated neighborhoods to cover up its successive military failures. According to Lebanese Ministry of Health data, intensive Israeli attacks last Wednesday resulted in the martyrdom of more than 300 people, a toll that reflects the extent of the Israeli escalation against populated areas.

On the ground, Hezbollah announced the execution of 21 military attacks targeting settlements, forces, and vehicles belonging to the Israeli occupation throughout Friday. Hezbollah sources confirmed that these operations come within the framework of legitimate defense of Lebanon and its people, and in direct response to repeated Israeli violations of ceasefire agreements that the Israeli side has not adhered to.

Hezbollah's attacks included targeting six settlements in northern Israel using suicide drones and rocket barrages, with shelling concentrated on the Metulla settlement four times in a row. The attacks also targeted the settlements of Kiryat Shmona, Misgav Am, Dovev, Margaliot, and Shlomi, which led to the activation of sirens in wide areas of the Upper Galilee.

In details of the qualitative operations, field sources reported targeting a "Merkava" tank in the area southeast of Khiam detention center using a suicide drone that accurately hit its target. Hezbollah fighters also targeted five gatherings of occupation soldiers in the areas of Rashaf, Wata al-Khiam, and east of Khiam detention center, in addition to military sites within the border settlements.

Hezbollah's military statements also indicated the shelling of Ya'ara and Kiryat Shmona barracks, the Ghajar military site, and the occupation's artillery positions north of the Goren settlement. Hezbollah stressed that these military responses will continue as long as the American-backed Israeli aggression against Lebanese territories and the Lebanese people continues without international deterrence.

For its part, Israeli media acknowledged monitoring the launch of at least 25 rockets from Lebanese territory towards the north since the early morning hours. Hebrew sources confirmed that the rocket barrages caused power outages in the settlements of Metulla and Kiryat Shmona due to damage to the main power transmission lines, in addition to a fire breaking out in a residential building in Metulla.

On the political front, these rapid field developments come ahead of an anticipated round of negotiations in Washington next week between representatives from Beirut and Tel Aviv. Despite international efforts and talk of understandings for a ceasefire, the field reality indicates an unprecedented escalation that threatens to collapse all diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.

In a related context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there is no intention to stop the war in Lebanon at the present time, despite giving the green light to begin direct negotiations. Netanyahu affirmed that any negotiation process would take place "under fire," a clear indication of the continuation of Israeli military operations in parallel with the proposed political path.

Lebanon is experiencing a state of anticipation and caution amid continued Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas, with the resistance insisting on establishing deterrence equations. Lebanese sources confirm that any future agreement must guarantee full national sovereignty and put a definitive end to Israeli aggressions that have directly affected infrastructure and civilians.

The resistance continues until the last breath, and we will not accept a return to the previous situation. Together, as a state, army, people, and resistance, we protect our country and restore its sovereignty.