Fri Aug 15 11:33:26 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article written from an Indian perspective (as requested, assuming “The Hindu” is an Indian publication):
**Summary:**
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, has vowed that the group will not disarm despite the Lebanese government’s recent decision to remove its weapons by the end of the year. He argues that disarming serves Israel’s interests and accuses the government of facilitating aggression against Hezbollah. Kassem insists that the group will maintain its arms until Israel withdraws from Lebanon and ceases its ongoing airstrikes. He warns that any internal conflict arising from the crisis would be the government’s responsibility and hints at potential large-scale protests, possibly targeting the U.S. embassy. This development comes amidst international pressure to disarm Hezbollah following a recent war with Israel.
**News Article:**
**Hezbollah Defiant: Vows to Retain Arms Amid Government Push for Disarmament**
*By The Hindu Bureau, Beirut – August 15, 2025, 5:03 pm IST*
Beirut – In a move that threatens to reignite tensions in the volatile region, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, has declared that the group will defy the Lebanese government’s order to disarm by the end of the year. The declaration, delivered in a televised address today, comes amidst growing international pressure on Lebanon to rein in the Iran-backed militant group following the devastating 14-month war with Israel last year.
Kassem framed the government’s disarmament decision as a direct service to Israeli interests, accusing it of enabling aggression against Hezbollah and its supporters. “Removing the defensive weapons of the resistance… facilitates the killing of resistance fighters and their families,” he stated, further asserting that the government should instead be focusing on evicting Israel from Lebanese territory.
The situation is being closely watched in India, a nation that has long grappled with its own security challenges stemming from regional conflicts and non-state actors. Analysts note that the continued instability in Lebanon and the potential for renewed conflict could have far-reaching consequences for the entire Middle East, impacting global energy markets and international security.
“The developments in Lebanon are concerning,” says Dr. Aisha Sharma, a Middle East expert at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. “A weakened or fragmented Lebanon creates a power vacuum that can be exploited by extremist groups, potentially destabilizing the wider region and impacting India’s strategic interests in the Gulf.”
The disarmament of Hezbollah has been a contentious issue in Lebanon for years, with some factions arguing that only the state should possess arms. Last week’s government decision, reportedly backed by the United States, seeks to enforce this principle.
Kassem, however, remained defiant, stating that Hezbollah would only consider a national defense strategy regarding its weapons after Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory and ceases its aerial strikes. He warned that if the current crisis leads to internal conflict, the government will be held accountable and even ominously mentioned that if the supporters decide to protest they “will be all over Lebanon and head to the U.S. embassy.”
The threat of large-scale protests and the potential for renewed violence raise serious concerns about Lebanon’s stability. As the situation unfolds, India, with its significant diaspora in the Gulf and its growing economic ties with the region, will likely be closely monitoring the situation, seeking to contribute to a peaceful resolution and safeguard its interests. The legacy of the 2024 war, which caused widespread devastation and displacement, serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved.
First Piper 