Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that continued attacks on Lebanese civilians will prompt Hezbollah to expand its rocket attacks to new Israeli targets. This statement follows a recent surge in hostilities, with Hezbollah claiming responsibility for new rounds of attacks on Israeli towns in response to Israeli airstrikes that have resulted in civilian casualties in Lebanon.
Nasrallah delivered this threat during a televised address on Wednesday, coinciding with the observance of the Shi’ite holy day Ashura. He emphasized that further civilian bloodshed in Lebanon would compel Hezbollah to retaliate by targeting Israeli settlements that had not previously been attacked. This rhetoric raises concerns of a potential escalation from the ongoing low-level conflict to a full-scale war.
Over the past few days, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed eight civilians in Lebanon, including five Syrians, among them three children. These deaths have drawn sharp criticism and heightened tensions. In response, Hezbollah launched up to 150 rockets into Israel over a 24-hour period, targeting areas such as Kiryat Shmona and Mount Meron, as well as regions near Nahariya.
One Killed and 12 wounded in an IDF attack on Hezbollah target in Al-Jmaijmeh, southern Lebanon pic.twitter.com/dhx4Q73nPv
— 50 States of Lie (@50StatesOfLie) July 18, 2024
According to Iranian state media and Hezbollah’s Al-Manar, the towns of Kfar Hoshen, Or Haganuz, Bar Yohai, Kabri, and Meron were targeted with dozens of Katyusha rockets following Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon.
Israel maintains that its operations aim at Hezbollah militants and infrastructure, denying allegations of targeting civilians. A Reuters tally indicates that over 100 Lebanese civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the onset of fighting, while Israeli casualties include 17 soldiers and 13 civilians. The fighting has led to extensive destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages, reminiscent of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.
🔴🔥Rocket impact in Kiryat Shmona few hours ago pic.twitter.com/Mq5VatlIsF
— Saaz Abadi (@Saaz_Abadi) July 18,
Nasrallah’s speech also included threats of further military action should Israel pursue a broader offensive in Lebanon. He highlighted the strategic challenges Israel would face in such a scenario, praising allied groups like the Houthis in Yemen and Palestinian factions for their resistance against Israel. He suggested that Israel is suffering defeats on multiple fronts and expressed confidence that this generation would witness Israel’s downfall.
Expanded Coverage:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/17/hezbollah-threatens-to-fire-on-new-israeli-targets
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-810736#google_vignette
