Opening with a Quranic verse praising those who believe, migrate, and struggle “with their wealth and their lives in the path of God,” Sheikh Qassem addressed wounded men and women of the resistance and the broader public. He described their blood as “a radiance of life,” their pain as “a cry of truth,” and their patience as the force through which hope and dignity are sustained.

He said the wounded had consciously chosen the divine path in defense of the homeland and humanity, affirming the value of a dignified life in the face of humiliation, greed, and the pursuit of fleeting worldly gains. Their endurance, he added, would remain a source of pride for future generations and for all free people.

Drawing on Shiite history, Sheikh Qassem cited Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas as a model of sacrifice and pointed to the wounds borne by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei as a living testament to leadership forged through struggle.

Describing the wounded as “a wellspring of life that never runs dry,” he said they embodied the promise of victory and the essence of human dignity. He referenced Quranic verses urging believers not to weaken in the face of suffering and recalled a saying attributed to Imam Ali (PBUH) emphasizing patience and steadfastness during hardship.

Sheikh Qassem framed the current phase as a major confrontation driven by American tyranny, supported by Western mobilization and unrestrained Zionist violence. He praised the resilience of both fighters and civilians, saying they stood together in legendary steadfastness.

According to him, resistance forces succeeded in halting tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers at the threshold of southern Lebanon, while civilians returned to their land immediately after the ceasefire took effect, protecting it with their presence, faith, and resolve. He said the resistance, during the People of Might battle and beyond, thwarted territorial expansion and obstructed the US vision for a “new Middle East,” Al Mayadeen reported.

“So long as this resistance endures, the homeland will remain with its people,” Sheikh Qassem said, adding that no amount of pressure or sacrifice could alter that reality. He noted that history moves in cycles and that injustice, however powerful, is ultimately temporary.

Addressing the wounded directly, he expressed confidence in their recovery, saying they stand on the ground of faith and truth. He reaffirmed that adherence to the path of Karbala and the resistance ensures lasting victory, quoting late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who said that victory is achieved both through survival and martyrdom.

“In our reality,” Sheikh Qassem said, “some are martyred and triumph by passing the torch of dignity to their families and comrades. Some are wounded and triumph by healing and remaining in the field. Others remain faithful to the covenant until decisive victory is achieved.”

He concluded by saluting the wounded—particularly those injured in pager explosions—as well as their families, caregivers, and all who supported them in solidarity.

Earlier in January, Sheikh Qassem reiterated that resistance is essential to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, stating, “If the resistance and its environment are not safe, then Lebanon will not be safe.”

He emphasized that “liberation is the cornerstone of state-building,” adding that any discussion of a monopoly on arms must follow the restoration of full Lebanese sovereignty.

“The resistance’s weapons are a purely Lebanese matter, as is Resolution 1701,” he said, rejecting external interference, particularly from the Israeli regime, which he accused of repeatedly violating the ceasefire.

“Who can guarantee that Israel will not violate our country if the resistance hands over its weapons?” he asked, rejecting what he described as any notion of surrender while aggression continues.

Responding to criticism, Sheikh Qassem said the resistance’s record speaks for itself. “What did the resistance do? It liberated the land,” he said, describing the resistance factions as “among the most honorable and rational in the world.”

“When we defend our people, we are defending our homeland,” he added, praising the sacrifices of the Lebanese people in pursuit of dignity and sovereignty.