BEIRUT: Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah warned on Thursday that the Lebanese group was bound to respond to Israel’s assassination of its top military commander, saying his death and that of the Hamas leader “crossed” red lines.
In a speech delivered during the funeral of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr, Hassan Nasrallah said that the group’s response to Israel is “inevitable.”
Nasrallah condemned the Israeli strikes that resulted in the deaths of Shukr and Ismail Haniyeh, a senior leader of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Nasrallah characterized the killings as a “dangerous assassination” and warned that the group’s response would be substantial and genuine, not merely symbolic.
“The enemy, and those who are behind the enemy, must await our inevitable response,” Nasrallah said, referring directly to Israel. He accused Israel of targeting civilians rather than legitimate military targets, citing the recent strike on a residential area in Beirut, which also claimed the lives of three women and two children.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that it is prepared for any potential retaliation from Hezbollah and its allies. In a statement, Netanyahu said that Israel would remain vigilant against any “aggression” following the threats of retribution.
The situation has prompted concerns that Iran and its affiliated armed groups might coordinate a response aimed at deterring Israel while avoiding full-scale warfare. Analysts suggest that these groups are likely strategizing on how to address the losses of Shukr and Haniyeh without escalating the conflict to an all-out war.
Shukr, who was known by his nom de guerre Hajj Mohsen, was described by Israel as Hezbollah’s “most senior military commander” and a close aide to Nasrallah.
In his speech, Nasrallah announced that Hezbollah would resume its operations along the Israeli-Lebanese border starting Friday morning, but clarified that these actions would not be part of their formal response to the deaths of Shukr and Haniyeh.
“The battle is open on all fronts,” Nasrallah stated. He added that Hezbollah, alongside other armed groups, would continue to support Hamas in their confrontation with Israel.
