In a fiery speech delivered to a packed audience, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah vowed to respond to Israel’s assassination of the group’s top commander, Fuad Shukr, “regardless of the consequences.” The promise of retaliation has left Israelis on high alert, but Nasrallah warned that keeping them waiting is “part of the punishment.”
As Nasrallah took the stage to commemorate the life and legacy of Shukr, who was assassinated one week ago, Israeli jets could be heard circling overhead, their sonic booms shaking buildings in central Beirut. The CNN team in attendance reported feeling the building shake and witnessing the jets fire several flares, a clear attempt to intimidate and disrupt the proceedings.
Undeterred, Nasrallah delivered a defiant address, warning Israel that its government, army, society, settlements, and occupiers would all be held accountable for the assassination. “Their government, their army, their society, their settlements, and their occupiers are all waiting,” he said. “Keeping them waiting is part of the battle.”
The speech came as tensions between Hezbollah and Israel continue to escalate. On Tuesday morning, Hezbollah launched a “swarm” of drones towards what it claimed were military targets in northern Israeli cities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting one drone, but the incident left several people injured, including one man who was seriously wounded in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya.
In response, Israel struck a building in southern Lebanon, killing five people. The Israeli military claimed the building was used by Hezbollah, but the group has not confirmed the allegations.
The region is bracing for an expected response from Hezbollah and Iran for the assassinations of Shukr and Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran last week. The killings have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across the Middle East, with many calling for revenge against Israel.
Nasrallah’s speech was seen as a clear warning to Israel that Hezbollah will not be deterred from seeking revenge. “We will respond, regardless of the consequences,” he said. “We will not be intimidated by the threats of the enemy.”
The Hezbollah leader also praised the group’s military capabilities, saying that they had the ability to strike Israeli targets with precision and accuracy. “We have the capability to hit any target in Israel, and we will not hesitate to do so,” he warned.
As the region waits with bated breath for Hezbollah’s response, Israeli officials are on high alert. The IDF has increased its military presence along the border with Lebanon, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will not hesitate to take action against any threats.
But Nasrallah’s strategy of keeping Israel waiting is a calculated move, designed to maximize the psychological impact of the group’s eventual response. By delaying their retaliation, Hezbollah is able to keep Israel on edge, disrupting daily life and creating a sense of uncertainty and fear.
The tactic is not new to Hezbollah, which has used similar strategies in the past to great effect. During the 2006 war with Israel, the group’s ability to launch surprise attacks and maintain a steady stream of rocket fire into Israeli territory kept the IDF off balance and ultimately forced Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory.
As the standoff between Hezbollah and Israel continues, the international community is calling for calm and restraint. The United Nations has urged both sides to avoid further escalation, while the European Union has condemned the assassinations and called for an investigation.
But with tensions running high and both sides dug in, it remains to be seen whether diplomacy can prevail. For now, the region remains on high alert, waiting for Hezbollah’s next move.
Palestinian Reaction
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas officials praised Nasrallah’s speech and vowed to stand in solidarity with Hezbollah. “We will not abandon our brothers in Lebanon,” said Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum. “We will continue to resist the occupation and fight for our rights, no matter the cost.”
In the West Bank, Palestinian Authority officials condemned the assassinations and called for international action to hold Israel accountable. “The international community must take immediate action to stop Israel’s aggression and protect the Palestinian people,” said PA spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh.
The escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have significant implications for the region. A wider conflict could draw in other countries, including Iran, Syria, and Jordan, and potentially destabilize the entire Middle East.
In Iran, officials have vowed to support Hezbollah and Hamas in their resistance against Israel. “We will not abandon our allies in the region,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “We will continue to support the Palestinian people and the resistance against the occupation.”
In Syria, the government has condemned the assassinations and pledged to support Hezbollah in its fight against Israel. “We will not stand idly by while our allies are attacked,” said Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the region is on the brink of a major conflict, and the consequences of such a war would be catastrophic. The international community must act quickly to prevent further escalation and promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Hezbollah’s vow to avenge the assassination of its top commander has left Israel on high alert, but the group’s strategy of keeping them waiting is a calculated move designed to maximize the psychological impact of their eventual response. As the region waits with bated breath for Hezbollah’s next move, the international community must act quickly to prevent further escalation and promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The consequences of a wider conflict would be catastrophic, and it is imperative that diplomacy prevails.
