Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has issued a stern warning to Israel following Israeli air raids that resulted in the deaths of 10 Lebanese civilians, including five children, along with three Hezbollah fighters. Nasrallah declared that Israel would pay a price “in blood” for these civilian casualties, suggesting a potential escalation in the conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border.
In a televised address, Nasrallah emphasized the need for continued resistance and escalation in response to the civilian deaths. He vowed that the enemy would pay for the spilled blood of Lebanese women and children, stating that the killings had only strengthened Hezbollah’s resolve to increase its presence, strength, and operations.
Shortly after Nasrallah’s speech, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli army facility in Shebaa Farms, a territory that Lebanon regards as its own. This attack, involving missiles, reportedly inflicted casualties on the Israeli side.
Hezbollah Issues Stark Warning: Israel to Pay ‘in Blood’ for Civilian Deaths (Credits: Al Jazeera)
Hezbollah has been engaged in cross-border skirmishes with the Israeli military in support of its Palestinian ally, Hamas, which initiated a cross-border assault from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The resulting violence has claimed the lives of over 200 people in Lebanon, including Hezbollah fighters, as well as Israeli soldiers and civilians.
While Hezbollah has indicated a willingness to cease hostilities against Israeli military targets once Israel’s assault on Gaza concludes, there are concerns about the potential for a wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Tensions have escalated, with tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the border and regional tensions reaching alarming levels.
Efforts to mitigate the violence and settle the disputed Lebanon-Israel frontier have been made, with the United Nations and countries like France pushing for diplomatic solutions. However, immediate prospects for de-escalation remain uncertain, as both sides appear entrenched in their positions.
At international forums like the Munich Security Conference, leaders have called for calm and an end to attacks on civilians. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the targeting of innocent civilians as a crime against humanity and urged restraint.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned of potential consequences for Lebanon if diplomatic solutions are not pursued, calling for pressure on Hezbollah and Iran to halt the attacks.
