Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem has reaffirmed the group’s refusal to disarm while Israel continues its airstrikes and occupies parts of southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated Sunday the group’s refusal to lay down its weapons before Israel withdraws from all of southern Lebanon and stops its airstrikes. Qassem spoke in a video address as thousands gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashoura.

Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem affirmed the group's refusal to disarm while Israeli forces occupy southern Lebanon and continue airstrikes. His statement comes during the Ashoura commemoration in Beirut,

The Hezbollah chief says the Lebanese group remains open to peace, but it will not disarm or back down from confronting Israel until it ends its air raids and withdraws from southern Lebanon. “We cannot be asked to soften our stance or lay down arms while [Israeli] aggression continues,