Secretary-General of Hezbollah, His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, affirmed that "International Quds Day has its symbolism in the call to liberate Palestine, and its symbolism in extending to all the oppressed in the world so they may free themselves from the yoke of slavery and injustice," pointing out that "Imam Khomeini’s (q.) position is a turning point and he is the one who galvanized the Palestinian cause." Sheikh Qassem said in a speech marking International Quds Day on Friday, March 13, 2026: "Quds Day is filled with spirituality and faith, expressing support for the oppressed, expressing the will for independence, and expressing belief in human freedom." Sheikh Qassem added: "The occupation of Palestine and Jerusalem is the greatest injustice in the world today. America and the major powers are the ones that sponsored this occupation, established this cancerous growth, and legitimized it in 1948." He continued: "The current war in Palestine, the confrontation against the 'Israeli' enemy, and the aggression being carried out by the 'Israeli'-American enemy against the region and the world are in fact the cause of this sinful plant, which has not allowed this region to stabilize for more than 70 years and will not let it stabilize." While pointing out that "the repercussions of the liberation of Palestine are important repercussions in the interest of peoples," he drew attention to the fact that "the repercussions of the continued occupation of Palestine and Jerusalem also have bad and negative impacts at the global level." He went on to say: "When we commemorate Quds Day, it means we declare that the Palestinians are not alone and that the responsibility is a collective responsibility. This Palestinian people have offered many sacrifices, and in the latest battle in confronting the 'Israeli' enemy through the 'Al-Aqsa Flood', they have offered in Gaza alone 260,000 martyrs and wounded." Sheikh Qassem recalled that "the genocide that took place and the absence of life practiced by 'Israel' were under direct American and Western sponsorship." He added: "We, as Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance, will remain with Palestine, and we support and back it for the sake of complete liberation. Hezbollah and the mujahideen in Lebanon have offered and supported Gaza and the 'Uli al-Baas' battle, and they have made great sacrifices, most notably the master of the nation's martyrs, the Hashemite martyr, and the leaders and martyrs." He stressed that "all Arab and Islamic peoples are responsible for standing with Jerusalem and Palestine, as well as all the free people of the world, because by doing so they are standing with themselves against the tyrants." He said: "We announce once again that we are with Jerusalem, with its liberation, and with the call for everyone to be one hand with this greatness embodied in Islamic Iran, which gave what is most sacred and greatest it has for the sake of Palestine and liberation." Sheikh Qassem pointed out that "the latest thing Islamic Iran has offered and continues to offer is the martyrdom of Imam Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei (q.), who gave everything he had and ascended to Almighty God with the righteous martyrs, for the sake of this major central cause around which we must rally." He added: "We in Lebanon are waging the battle of legitimate defense to face the unjust 'Israeli' aggression and are confronting a brutal and dangerous aggression that constitutes an existential threat." He continued: "We were not facing a normal situation, but rather a continuous barbaric action for 15 months. We raised the alarm several times that the opportunity would end, that there is a limit to the continuation of the aggression, and that there is a limit to the exhaustion of patience." He explained: "Three times at three stations we met at the leadership level and consulted to respond to the aggression, and we saw the timing as inappropriate, and we were convinced to give an additional opportunity and convinced that the circumstances were not suitable. There were parties that contacted us and insisted that we give them an additional opportunity for the political track." Sheikh Qassem revealed that "in the last month, the 'Israeli' discussion was about the necessity of carrying out a major action against Lebanon, but the discussion was over the timing." He continued: "On the one hand, it (the enemy) has been attacking for 15 months and it seems it will not stop, on the other hand it killed our Imam and leader, and on the third hand, when the battle coincides with what is happening to Iran, we can weaken the enemy. We confronted in self-defense." Sheikh Qassem addressed "those who say: 'You provoked the enemy with this volley'" with the question: "Did the martyrs, wounded, and prisoners not provoke you?", adding: "We consider ourselves in a position of legitimate defense. We decided to name this operation the 'Battle of Eaten Straw', which is a defense of Lebanon, our dignity, and our land, a confrontation with the 'Israeli' enemy, and an allusion to Surah 'Al-Fil' in the Holy Quran." While the Secretary-General of Hezbollah asserted that "the Lebanese government was able neither to achieve sovereignty nor to protect its citizens," he recalled that "the enemy resorted to destroying houses in a horrific and very dangerous way, even reaching Al-Qard Al-Hasan and displacing entire cities under the pretext of 'fighting the resistance,' while in fact executing life." While stressing that "there is no solution except through the resistance, otherwise Lebanon heads toward demise," Sheikh Qassem said: "We have learned lessons and morals from the 'Uli al-Baas' battle. We affirm that the enemy now lacks the ability to achieve its goals." He added: "We have prepared ourselves for a long confrontation, and God willing, we will surprise them in the field. The enemy's threats do not frighten us." He went on to say: "The enemy will see our might, and know that the enthusiasm of the Islamic Resistance youth is very strong, to the point of divine love and devotion for the sake of Almighty God." Sheikh Qassem addressed the mujahideen in the Islamic Resistance, saying: "Your message has reached me, O mujahideen, and you are the salt of the earth. We are strong through three things: our faith in Almighty God, our support for the truth, and the will and equipment we have prepared." He stressed that "when the United States and the Zionist entity kill people, they only want to drive people away from the resistance, and they will not be able to." He also pointed out that "these people affiliated with the resistance project gave their children on the path of resistance, and they are the people of resistance, honor, dignity, and pride." Sheikh Qassem stressed that "the displaced and refugees are in a position of contribution and sacrifice, and they are content with that and believe in that," saying: "We are from them and they are from us, but endurance is the solution to get through this stage." Sheikh Qassem addressed enemy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: "O Netanyahu, Imam Ali (a.s.) says: 'The appointed time is guardian enough.' Therefore, your threat to assassinate me has no flavor or value. You are the one who should fear for yourself." He pointed out that "the 'Israeli'-American aggression is the reason for what is happening in Lebanon and the resistance is not the reason; the resistance is a reaction," adding: "Had it not been for the resistance for more than 40 years, Lebanon would not have remained, and now they are trying to repeat the experience. The 'Israeli'-American aggression is what ruins stability, ruins security, disrupts the Lebanese, and places us before two options: either surrender or the resistance continues." Sheikh Qassem added: "There is no defeat or surrender in our dictionary. We will remain strong in the field no matter what the sacrifices and give-and-take are. We will not back down because the matter is related to our existence. This is an existential battle, not a limited or simple battle." Sheikh Qassem asked: "If there were no resistance, what would the 'Israeli' have done?", answering: "He would have entered the houses of Nabi Sheet house by house, killed them one by one, and taken whoever he wanted." Demanding "stopping the aggression and not stopping the resistance," the Secretary-General of Hezbollah said: "This is our country; we will not allow anyone to control its fate, decisions, and how its children live. We are fighting and confident of victory. We will remain an impenetrable dam facing the enemy's goals. We have faith, will, and capability; killing is our habit, and martyrdom is our dignity from God." Sheikh Qassem considered that "the solution is clear: stopping the aggression completely, 'Israel' withdrawing from the occupied territories completely, releasing the prisoners, people returning to their villages, and beginning reconstruction," stressing that "this is the solution for the resistance to stop this battle or this confrontation." He renewed his affirmation that "this resistance is ongoing and the field is the arena of honor," adding: "The word now belongs to the field. We are ready for it, God is with us, our people are with us, and the honorable free people in our country and the world are with us. This capital is what will win, God Almighty willing." Sheikh Qassem called on the government to "take a decision that involves a degree of standing up," addressing the government by saying: "Raise your voice, cancel some of your decisions against the resistance, and do not stab the resistance in the back." Sheikh Qassem touched upon the American-'Israeli' aggression against Iran, pointing out that "Iran is an aggressed party and the world witnesses that it is an aggressed party," stressing that "Iran is defending itself with honor and dignity, and is enduring, and a new guide and leader has been elected who is working for the goals." He also stressed that "the one responsible for the destruction is the aggression, and the solution is by deterring and stopping it, not by handing the country over to the enemy for free." The Secretary-General of Hezbollah concluded his speech by saying: "We pray to Almighty God in this holy month to bestow upon us success, victory, and patience."