Hezbollah leader Syed Hassan Nasrallah addressed his supporters on Friday, making his first comments on the war between Israel and Hamas since it broke out on October 7.
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified along their tense border in recent weeks. The Lebanese armed group claims to have lost 57 fighters while Israel says six of its soldiers were killed in their exchanges of fire and missiles. At least six civilians were also killed.
Many expected Nasrallah to announce the group’s next actions, but he refrained from doing so, instead condemning Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Here are the main highlights of his speech:
The October attack was an exclusively Palestinian operation
Nasrallah began his speech by praising the “fallen martyrs” of Hezbollah and other groups fighting Israel, as well as the civilians killed.
He then also thanked “the strong and courageous Iraqi and Yemeni forces who are now involved in this holy war,” apparently referring to armed groups in both countries – including the Houthis in Yemen – who are allied with Hezbollah and have launched attacks. against Israel or the United States in recent days.
He described the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, in which more than 1,400 people were killed, as “a great event to shake this oppressive Zionist regime…occupier and usurper and its supporters to Washington and London.
He said that “the operation was 100 percent Palestinian in terms of decision and execution.”
“This element of secrecy was key to the success of the operation. It was a surprise, a shocking surprise, contrary to what many people think.”
Independent from Iran
“This operation has no bearing on the decisions or actions taken by any other faction within the axis of resistance,” Nasrallah said, referring to the Iranian-led coalition of anti-Israel forces in the region.
“Any time there is a battle, they start talking about the Iranian nuclear program, about the negotiations between the United States and Iran,” Nasrallah said.
In reality, he said, “the secrecy surrounding the entire operation” of October 7 proved that the attack was solely about the Palestinian cause and had no connection “with any international or regional issue.” “.
“Since the Iranian Revolution… (Iran has) always embraced and openly supported resistance factions in Lebanon, Palestine and the region. However, they do not exercise any form of authority or control over these factions or their leaders. And what happened…proves that fact.
The United States is responsible for the war in Gaza
Nasrallah also blamed the United States for continued violence in Gaza.
“Gaza and the people of Gaza are reeling from barbaric, fierce, brutal, ruthless and unforgiving aerial bombardments,” he said.
He accused the United States of remaining “silent” in the face of “images of thousands of babies and children torn apart in Gaza by Israeli missiles.”
Nasrallah said the US response exposed the West’s “hypocrisy” on issues such as democracy and the rule of law.
“We live in a jungle. We must all establish this fact. The United States is entirely responsible for the war raging in Gaza, against an unarmed and defenseless population,” he said.
Hezbollah already in battle since October 8
Nasrallah said Hezbollah entered “the war” the day after the Hamas attack.
“Some say we are on the verge of war. I tell you, we have been engaged in this battle since October 8,” Nasrallah said.
“The Islamic resistance in Lebanon began its operations the next day. »
“What is happening on our front is very important and significant,” Nasrallah said, saying the border conflict with Israel was the hottest he had seen since 1948.
“However, I assure you that this will not be the end. That won’t be enough. »
He asks more from Arab nations
Nasrallah also called on other Arab countries to help Gaza.
“We call on Arab and Muslim states to cut off oil, gas and food supplies to Israel,” Nasrallah said, echoing a demand made by Iran earlier this week.
He said he hoped that “at some point, all of humanity will hear the sound of reason.”
