Hezbollah reiterates its rejection of normalization with Israel and vows to continue resisting

The leader of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, stated this Sunday that his group is ready to maintain the ceasefire agreement with Israel, but also to engage in "confrontation and defense," and reiterated that they will not accept normalization with the Jewish state.
"We are ready for peace and state building, making every effort and cooperating to the fullest extent, in accordance with our commitments for stability. We are an inseparable part of Lebanon's well-being, its construction, and its dignity," the cleric asserted during a televised address on the occasion of the Shia holiday of Ashura, which is celebrated today.
He also stated that they are ready for "confrontation and defense," given that they are "an invincible people."

Funeral of Israeli soldiers. Photo: EFE
"We will not bow down. We will not abandon our country or our territory. We will not abandon our dignity. We will not abandon our rights. We will defend them, no matter what the sacrifices. I will not abandon you, Hussein," he said, referring to the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Ashura is the date on which Hussein's death is commemorated and is the main religious holiday for Shia Muslims.
He also made it clear that there is "no room for surrender": "Do not speak of our abilities. Do not speak of our feelings. You must focus on one thing: we are men of battle. We do not accept being humiliated."
Regarding relations with Israel, Qassem stated that they would not accept normalization.
"We will not accept normalization, which means concessions and humiliation for those who normalize with the Israeli enemy," he exclaimed.
He also said that "no one can extinguish the flames of resistance" and again praised Iran for "preventing Israel from achieving its objectives" in last month's 12-day war.
Iran is the leader of the informal alliance known as the "Axis of Resistance," which includes the Shiite group, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Yemen's Houthi rebels, and pro-Iranian Iraqi militias, among others.
Despite the cessation of hostilities since last November, Israel still maintains its troops in five Lebanese areas and bombs the neighboring country almost daily.
eltiempo