Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem celebrates Trump, Netanyahu’s political setback from hideout

Reports by The Times of Israel on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, said Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has described the recent electoral setbacks suffered by United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a positive development for the Lebanese militant group and its regional allies.

Qassem made the remarks during a speech delivered in Beirut to mark Hezbollah’s annual Martyrs’ Day, using the occasion to discuss the political situation in the United States, Israel and other parts of the Middle East.

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The Hezbollah leader argued that Washington and Tel Aviv had pursued similar policies but maintained that their political leadership had suffered setbacks through recent electoral developments.

He described the outcomes as encouraging for Iran and armed groups operating in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, which he collectively referred to as resistance organisations.

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Qassem claimed that Trump and Netanyahu had been defeated while Iran and the groups aligned with it had achieved victory.

His comments came amid continuing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly over demands for the disarmament of the Lebanese organisation.

The Hezbollah leader also accused Israel of seeking to weaken Lebanon by pushing for the removal of the group’s weapons, arguing that such a move would make the country more vulnerable to Israeli military action.

He insisted that Hezbollah would not surrender its weapons, describing them as essential for defending Lebanon against Israel.

The position reinforces the group’s longstanding opposition to disarmament despite domestic and international pressure for the Lebanese government to establish greater control over weapons within the country.

Israel has repeatedly raised security concerns over Hezbollah’s military capabilities, while the group’s presence and weapons have remained a major source of political disagreement within Lebanon.

Qassem’s speech also highlighted Hezbollah’s continued efforts to present itself as part of a wider regional alliance involving Iran and armed organisations in several Middle Eastern countries.

His remarks about Trump and Netanyahu reflected the group’s assessment of the political challenges facing the two leaders, although the report did not provide further details about the specific electoral setbacks he referenced.

The speech was delivered in Beirut on Wednesday as Hezbollah commemorated its members killed during conflicts involving the organisation.

Qassem maintained that Hezbollah would continue holding on to its weapons, rejecting calls for disarmament and insisting that they remained necessary for its defence against Israel.

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