Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance movement, announced on Thursday that it has entered a new phase aimed at undermining Israel's strategic objectives, attributing its progress to ongoing support from Iran. Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's deputy secretary-general, made the remarks during a speech delivered at an Ashura commemoration in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Qassem characterized the past 15 months as a period of “strategic patience” for Hezbollah, initiated following a ceasefire agreement in November 2024. Despite enduring ongoing Israeli military actions—airstrikes, targeted assassinations, and incursions across Lebanese territory—Hezbollah largely restrained from major retaliatory operations. Israeli activities during this time reportedly resulted in the deaths of approximately 500 individuals and included over 10,000 violations across land, sea, and air.

The restraint exercised by Hezbollah, Qassem explained, was a deliberate strategy intended to avoid undermining diplomatic initiatives. He asserted that this approach had confounded observers globally, challenging preconceived notions about the group’s behavior. “Our patience builds the future, our patience flips the equations, our patience leads to consolidating the project, our patience breaks the arrogance of the tyrant,” Qassem stated, signaling a shift in tactics designed to recalibrate the balance of power.

He declared that Hezbollah and Lebanon have advanced into “a new phase called breaking the Israeli project.” This term refers to Israel’s declared policy aiming to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities as well as its political, cultural, and social influence. According to Qassem, efforts by Israel over the past two to three years to eliminate Hezbollah’s presence have ultimately failed.

The comments highlight Hezbollah’s ongoing role as a key actor in the Lebanese political and security landscape amid persistent tensions with Israel. Both sides have accused each other of violations despite ceasefire agreements, maintaining a fragile and volatile status quo in the region. The situation remains closely monitored by regional and international actors given the implications for broader Middle East stability.