Hezbollah chief Qassem denounces Beirut's inaction following alleged kidnapping of Ahmad Shukr

Hezbollah chief Qassem denounces Beirut's inaction following alleged kidnapping of Ahmad Shukr

James Genn

Sun, December 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM UTC

2 min read

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem gives a televised speech from an unknown location in this still image obtained from a video released December 5, 2025; illustrative. (photo credit: Al Manar TV/REUTERS TV/via REUTERS )

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem accused Lebanon of inaction over the reported kidnapping of former officer Ahmad Shukr and reiterated Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem denounced the Lebanese government's lack of action towards the apparent kidnapping of former senior security officer Ahmad Shukr.

Qassem's comments came in a speech shared by Al Mayadeen, a media outlet linked with the terror group, on Sunday.

"Where is the state regarding the recent kidnapping of retired officer Ahmad Shukr in the Zahle area?" he asked.

On Tuesday, London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Shukr was kidnapped by Israel.

He is suspected of having been involved in the disappearance of Israel Air Force pilot Ron Arad.

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) declined to respond to a request for comment by The Jerusalem Post and referred the issue to the IDF. The Mossad also declined to respond to a request for comment.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem appears on a screen delivering a speech, during a ceremony held by Hezbollah to commemorate the first anniversary of their late leader Hassan Nasrallah's killing by Israel, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, September 27, 2025; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR/FILE PHOTO)

Qassem: Disarmament is an 'American-Israeli project,' affirms Hezbollah will not give up weapons

Qassem affirmed his views that disarmament is a joint US-Israeli project, Hezbollah's 'resistance' and Lebanon adhered to agreements made under the terms of the ceasefire, and that Israel has continuously violated it.

Raising the issue of disarmament while "Israeli aggression" continues is "tantamount to working in Israel's interests," he added.

The US and Israel are aiming to "eliminate the resistance," he continued.

He also blamed all problems facing Lebanon on the "tyrannical United States and the Israeli enemy."

Qassem added that any attempts to pressure the terror group will not alter their stance.

"Do your worst and cooperate with the most ruthless of God's creatures, but we will not back down, we will not surrender, and wewill defend our rights," he stated.

Hezbollah will "persevere and achieve its goals, even if it takes time," he stressed.

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