Rai Al-Youm on Hezbollah’s Fiery Rhetoric and Future of Disarmament

DID Press: The pan-Arab daily Rai al-Youm analyzed the latest speech by Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sheikh Naiem Qassem, describing it as unusually sharp and threatening, and assessed what it may signal for Lebanon’s political and security future.

According to the paper, Qassem’s unprecedentedly forceful tone reflects the shrinking room for diplomacy and points to a rising likelihood of confrontation over Hezbollah’s disarmament — a goal long pushed by the United States and Israel.

Rai Al-Youm noted that the remarks followed a visit to Lebanon by Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Tehran’s explicit opposition to disarming Hezbollah. This, the paper said, underscored Iran’s full backing of the group.

The report also recalled the Lebanese government’s early August decision to consolidate all arms under state control and task the army with enforcing the measure before the year’s end. It further cited over 3,000 ceasefire violations between Hezbollah and Israel since November 27, 2024, which have left 266 dead and 563 wounded.

In conclusion, the paper stressed that Hezbollah remains resolute in holding on to its weapons. Qassem was quoted as saying they would never be surrendered, even if it meant a battle akin to Karbala. The key question, Rai Al-Youm argued, is whether Hezbollah’s domestic rivals grasp the dangers of insisting on disarmament by force.