Hezbollah leader Syed Hassan Nasrallah addressed his followers on Friday, delivering his first comments on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war since it broke out on October 7. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified along their contentious border in recent weeks, resulting in casualties on both sides. Nasrallah refrained from disclosing specific details about Hezbollah’s next moves but condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
During his address, Nasrallah began by paying tribute to the fallen martyrs of Hezbollah and other groups fighting against Israel, as well as the civilians who lost their lives. He also expressed gratitude towards the “strong and brave Iraqi and Yemeni hands” involved in the conflict, referring to allied armed groups such as the Houthis in Yemen. These groups have recently launched attacks against Israel or the United States.
Nasrallah described the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 as a significant event that aimed to challenge the “oppressive…occupying, usurping Zionist regime and its supporters in Washington and London.” He emphasized that the operation was entirely Palestinian and highlighted the element of secrecy that contributed to its success.
The Hezbollah leader dismissed claims that the conflict was related to international or regional issues, emphasizing that it solely focused on the Palestinian cause. He criticized attempts to divert attention to the Iranian nuclear program or US-Iran negotiations whenever there is a battle. Nasrallah asserted that although Iran openly supports resistance factions in the region, it does not exercise control over their actions or leadership.
Nasrallah placed blame on the United States for the ongoing violence in Gaza, condemning the “barbaric, ferocious, brutal, ruthless, merciless aerial bombardments” and accusing the US of remaining silent in the face of the suffering of innocent Gazans. He criticized the West’s hypocrisy on issues such as democracy and the rule of law, asserting that the US is responsible for the war in Gaza against unarmed and defenseless people.
The Hezbollah leader clarified that Hezbollah had been engaged in the conflict since the day after the Hamas attack, dismissing claims that they were about to enter the war. He emphasized the significance of the conflict on the border with Israel, stating that it was the most intense since 1948. However, Nasrallah assured his followers that this would not be the end and that more actions would follow.
In a call to other Arab countries, Nasrallah urged them to cut off oil, gas, and food supplies from Israel, echoing a demand made by Iran earlier in the week. He expressed hope that humanity as a whole would listen to reason and take action.
Overall, Nasrallah’s address highlighted the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, condemning the Israeli attacks on Gaza and calling for support from Arab and Muslim states. The Hezbollah leader emphasized the importance of the Palestinian cause and criticized the role of the United States in the conflict. The address also shed light on the heightened tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border and Nasrallah’s assurance that the current conflict would not be the end.
