BEIRUT: Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, announced on Tuesday that the group’s cross-border shelling into Israel would continue until Israel’s “aggression” on the Gaza Strip ceases.
Nasrallah emphasized that Hezbollah’s military actions were in support of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, which launched attack from Gaza into Israel on October 7. He stated unequivocally that the exchanges of fire from Lebanon would only cease upon the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement for Gaza.
Hezbollah Chief Criticizes Diplomatic Efforts
In a televised address, Nasrallah criticized diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions along Lebanon’s border, accusing foreign delegations of prioritizing Israel’s security over achieving a genuine cessation of hostilities. Despite visits from foreign ministers of France, Britain, and other nations, Nasrallah dismissed their proposals as serving the interests of Israel rather than promoting peace.
While not explicitly mentioning a specific proposal, Nasrallah alluded to a paper presented by a mediation delegation, which he claimed lacked substantive measures for resolving the conflict and safeguarding Lebanon’s interests.
Nasrallah warned that if Israel escalated the conflict further in Lebanon, Hezbollah would respond in kind. The ongoing cross-border shelling has resulted in casualties on both sides, with hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced.
Highlighting the toll of the conflict, Nasrallah emphasized that residents of northern Israel would not be able to return to their homes, threatening further displacement if the situation worsens.
