Hezbollah’s leader declared on Tuesday that the group’s cross-border attacks into Israel will persist until Israel ceases its actions in Gaza, asserting that ongoing diplomatic efforts seem to favor Israel’s interests. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has engaged in clashes with Israel along Lebanon’s southern border in solidarity with Hamas, which initiated a cross-border assault from Gaza into Israel on October 7, facing severe Israeli retaliation.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah emphasized that Hezbollah will only cease fire when a comprehensive ceasefire is established for Gaza, stating, “When the gunfire in Gaza ceases, so will ours in the south.” He criticized foreign delegations visiting Beirut, claiming their proposals primarily serve Israel’s security rather than fostering peace.
Efforts by foreign ministers, including those from France and Britain, aimed to calm tensions at the border, with France proposing Hezbollah’s withdrawal 10 km from the border among other measures. Nasrallah dismissed such proposals, alleging they prioritize Israel’s security.
Nasrallah warned that if Israel escalates the conflict in Lebanon, Hezbollah would respond in kind. The ongoing cross-border shelling has resulted in significant casualties and displacement on both sides, with around 200 fatalities in Lebanon, including over 170 Hezbollah fighters, as well as 10 Israeli soldiers and five civilians.
Nasrallah ominously predicted that residents of northern Israel would remain displaced, threatening further displacement if the situation worsens.
More than 28,000 Palestinians killed
Israel’s military operation has resulted in the deaths of over 28,000 Palestinians in the region, leading to the displacement of over 80% of the population and triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 12,300 Palestinian children and adolescents have lost their lives in the conflict, along with around 8,400 women. This means that children and young teens account for approximately 43% of the casualties, while women and minors together constitute three-quarters of the total deaths.
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Israel claims to have targeted about 10,000 Hamas fighters but has not presented evidence to support this claim. In a cross-border raid by Hamas on October 7, approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and militants took 250 individuals captive, according to Israeli authorities.