In a highly anticipated speech, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned that a wider regional conflict could erupt if Israel continues its war in Gaza. Speaking for the first time since the conflict broke out, Nasrallah addressed tens of thousands of people who gathered to honor fallen fighters at rallies organized by the Lebanese group. He expressed concern over the situation in Gaza and called on Israel to cease its attacks in order to prevent a larger conflagration in the region.
Nasrallah stated that “all scenarios are open on our Lebanese southern front” and emphasized that the situation in Lebanon would be influenced by developments in Gaza. While expressing support for Hamas, Nasrallah stopped short of declaring all-out war against Israel, alleviating fears that Hezbollah would join the conflict. He praised the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which resulted in numerous Israeli casualties, but denied any involvement by Hezbollah.
Highlighting Israel’s lack of military achievements during the war, Nasrallah criticized the pursuit of unattainable goals and suggested that negotiations were the only way to secure the release of hostages. He placed blame for the conflict and the high Palestinian civilian death toll on the United States, particularly as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. Netanyahu rejected any temporary halt to the fighting that did not include the release of Israeli hostages, vowing to continue until victory.
Nasrallah held the United States responsible for the war in Gaza and called for increased efforts to protect Palestinian civilians. He advocated for ending the war and enabling the resistance to prevail. Nasrallah argued that victory for Gaza would benefit not only the Palestinian people but also neighboring countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. He urged the Arab world to recall their ambassadors, cut off oil and gas supplies, and impose food sanctions on Israel.
Throughout the conflict, Hezbollah has taken calculated steps to keep Israel’s military engaged on its border with Lebanon without igniting a full-scale war. Nasrallah stressed that Hezbollah has been involved in the battle since October 8, highlighting the significance of the situation on the border since the creation of Israel in 1948 and the displacement of Palestinians during the Nakba.
Nasrallah’s speech drew attention both within and outside Lebanon, as he is a prominent figure in the “Axis of Resistance” alliance led by Iran, which seeks to counter the influence of the United States and Israel. The alliance includes Shia Muslim Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthis, who have engaged in hostilities against US forces and fired drones at Israel during the conflict. The speech followed a significant escalation in clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the border.
Overall, Nasrallah’s address serves as a warning of the potential for a wider regional conflict if the war in Gaza persists. It highlights the concerns of Hezbollah and its allies about the situation and calls for international efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and bring an end to the hostilities.
