BEIRUT: Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel on Friday about civilian losses in Lebanon, pledging revenge “with blood” for each innocent life lost.
Nasrallah, speaking in a televised address, said that Hezbollah had precision-guided missiles capable of reaching Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city.
Tensions escalated after an Israeli strike killed Hezbollah commander Ali al-Debs and two others in Nabatiyeh. The attack also claimed the lives of seven civilians from the same family, sparking outrage in Lebanon.
Nasrallah accused Israel of targeting civilians to pressure Hezbollah into halting its rocket attacks but affirmed that such actions would only intensify their cross-border strikes.
The conflict, stemming from the Israel-Hamas war, has seen daily exchanges of fire since October. Hezbollah retaliated against Wednesday’s strikes with rocket fire at Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel.
In response, Israel conducted further strikes in southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of five fighters from Hezbollah and the Amal movement.
International concerns have mounted over the escalating violence, with fears of a repeat of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, called for diplomatic efforts to restore stability and protect civilians.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli strikes and pledged to file a complaint with the UN Security Council.
Since October, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 268 people in Lebanon, including civilians and Hezbollah fighters.
