Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezbollah, made his first public remarks since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in Lebanon. He called the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th, 2015, a “great, blessed operation.” Dismissing rumours that groups supported by Iran were involved, Nasrallah underlined that only Palestinians were involved in the planning and carrying out. CNN reports that he acknowledged Hamas’s need for surprise.
Nasrallah asserted that the October 7 attacks triggered a “political earthquake” in Israel with enduring repercussions for the conflict. He regarded the lives lost in Gaza, the West Bank, and other fronts as significant sacrifices that paved the way for a transformative phase in the conflict. Nasrallah also highlighted the vulnerability of Israel, particularly its dependence on allies, exemplified by the US dispatching warships to the eastern Mediterranean.
Speaking via video link from an undisclosed location, Nasrallah’s address was broadcasted to a large gathering of supporters in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The commencement of his speech was marked by celebratory gunfire.
Notably, Nasrallah has not delivered a public speech in person since 2006, coinciding with the month-long war between Lebanon and Israel. His current statement comes amidst escalating tensions between his influential, Iran-backed armed group and Israel, prompting concerns of a potential broader regional conflict.
