‘Hezbollah is not intimidated, ready for war,’ says chief Hassan Nasrallah in first speech since Israel-Hamas conflict

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese Shia Islamist group Hezbollah, addressed his followers on Friday, in his first public comments since the Israel-Hamas war broke out. The speech has raised apprehensions that the area could well become another front in the conflict threatening to engulf West Asia. But in the war spanning just over three weeks, so far the violence has largely been contained. Hassan Nasrallah began his speech by praising “the fallen martyrs” of Hezbollah and the other groups fighting Israel, as well as the large number of civilians killed since Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip. “I start by offering my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen here in Lebanon, and at the same we congratulate you as your loved ones have won the honour of martyrdom,” the Hezbollah chief said in his first speech after the war broke out. Nasrallah also offers “condolences and congratulations” to the families of those killed in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including those killed during Hamas’s Al-Aqsa Flood operations inside Israel, which, he says, “has extended on a number of fighting fronts”. “This is a seamless battle at the human, ethical and religious levels. It’s the most evident, the most honest and the most noble. Our true strength lies in our firm belief, unshaken conviction, our devotion and commitment to the cause……,” he said. “We must salute the … strong and brave Iraqi and Yemeni hands who are now involved in this holy war,” he said encouraging Hezbollah members. He went on to elaborate that there had to be a major event that would shake the usurping entity and its supporters in Washington and London and this is when the blessed operation of the October 7 took place. “The great Al-Aqsa Flood operation was decided and implemented 100 percent Palestinian. Absolute secrecy is what ensured the success of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7. We were not bothered by Hamas’s concealment of the October 7 attack plan,” he told his followers. Since Hamas carried out the 7 October attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,400 people, Lebanon has been on edge, closely watching Hezbollah and its future course of actions. Hezbollah, on its part has intensified its attacks on Israel, which is retaliating. But both sides have apparently taken steps to avoid a dangerous escalation, and most strikes have been limited to the border area. Meanwhile, Israel is pushing ahead with its ground invasion of Gaza, with the goal of eliminating Hamas, while the number of Palestinians killed in the territory has passed 9,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas, meanwhile, has repeatedly urged its allies to join the fight, and many wonder whether Hezbollah will answer those calls. “Conditions in Palestine in recent years have been extremely harsh, especially with this extremist, foolish, stupid, and savage government. The Al-Aqsa Flood operation led to an earthquake in (Israel). It has strategic and existential repercussions and will leave its effects on the present and future of (Israel),” Nasrallah said. Nasrallah says Hamas’s operation established a new historical phase in the battle with Israel. He called the Palestinian group’s decision to launch Al-Aqsa Flood right, wise and courageous, adding that it was carried out with the right timing. The Hezbollah chief added one of Israel’s biggest mistakes now is making goals that it cannot achieve. He also pointed out that Israel can get back the captives held in Gaza through negotiations. The Hezbollah leader said what is happening in Gaza shows Israel’s foolishness and inability because what it is doing is killing children and women. He called Israel “frail” and pointed out that for one whole month, it has been unable to record a single military achievement.