Secretary-General of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Photo: Screenshot.
The US has called on all parties to de-escalate to prevent a regional war from happening in the wake of the Israeli terrorist cyber attacks in Lebanon and Syria, yet has reiterated its commitment to stand by Israel.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered a one-hour televised speech on Thursday, September 19. During the speech, the Lebanese resistance leader offered condolences to the families of the 37 people, who were killed in the two waves of Israeli terrorist attacks carried out through the detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies detonation that hit Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday and Wednesday. Nasrallah also confirmed that an investigation is underway to unveil full details of the attacks encompassing all stages from production to detonation, vowing that actions will be taken accordingly.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addressed Israel in his speech with firm statements, warning the Zionist state that the attacks will be confronted with a difficult reckoning. He also confirmed that the Israeli terrorist attacks will not curb Hezbollah from supporting the oppressed people of Gaza and occupied Palestine, which is a religious and moral duty.
Nasrallah admitted in his speech that the attacks, with which Israel aimed at killing 5,000, were a “severe blow” attributing that to Israel’s technological superiority, backed by the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the West. He also said that Israel crossed “all red lines” and “declared war” by carrying out the series of wireless device explosion attacks against Hezbollah members, which will be met with a “just punishment” by the Lebanese resistance group.
In addition, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah challenged Israel that its actions would further worsen the situation of the Israeli displaced settlers from the north. “What you are doing will increase the displacement of your displaced settlers from the north and will bar the opportunity of their return,” Nasrallah stated.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant defied Nasrallah’s statements later on Thursday, saying: “Our aim is to ensure the safe return of northern residents to their homes. As time passes, Hezbollah will pay a higher price. Simultaneously, we remain committed to the effort to bring the hostages home and dismantle Hamas.”
Hezbollah has proved that the unprecedented Israeli cyber terrorist attacks have not held it back from supporting the Palestinian people. Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) announced that two Israeli soldiers were killed in separate drone and anti-tank missile strikes launched by Hezbollah along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Meanwhile, IOF carried out dozens of airstrikes across southern Lebanon, according to media reports.
As the situation is rapidly escalating between Israel and Hezbollah, some international airlines have suspended their flights to Israel and other countries in the region. Moreover, the United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly postponed his visit to Israel, which was scheduled at the beginning of next week due to the ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
Regarding the escalation in the region, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed in a regular briefing on Thursday, that the United States will continue to stand by Israel’s right to defend itself, but it does not want to see any party escalate the conflict.
On the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran informed the United Nations about its intention to respond to the Israeli terrorism and sabotage attack, in which Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani was injured.
(Peoples Dispatch) by Aseel Saleh
