Naim Qassem — address on Lebanon's defense strategy and the Resistance's weapons, 18 April 2025 (Hezbollah-official English translation)

Yes, the constitution says arms should be exclusively in the hands of the state—and we agree. But which arms are we talking about? The weapons that maintain public order, the arms of internal security forces. As for the Resistance's weapons, they are exclusively for confronting the "Israeli" enemy. They are not—and have never been—intended for use inside the country.

[… …] First of all, you're offering "Israel" a free service. "Israel" brought in its entire army […] and still, it could not seize even a single piece of our weapons […]. And now, you are calling for disarmament by force? That is nothing less than a service to the "Israeli" enemy.

Second, this is nothing short of sedition. What you're really pushing for is strife between the Resistance and the army. […] We and the army stand in the same trench, united against "Israel". You want to split us into two opposing sides […].

Third, this approach reveals their belief that they can take control of the state under the umbrella of American tutelage. [… …] so that American influence can tighten its grip and govern the country without resistance.

We will not allow anyone to disarm Hezbollah or the Resistance because Hezbollah and the Resistance are one and the same. The very notion of disarmament must be removed from our vocabulary. […] These weapons are sanctified by the blood of martyrs, the wounds of the injured, and the sacrifices of the detainees. […] We will confront anyone who attacks the Resistance or works to disarm it—regardless of whether they are "Israel", America, or their collaborators—just as we confronted "Israel".