Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, in a memorial speech-turned-campaign speech, argued that Israel was too reliant on its allies to maintain a strong presence, even as Israeli forces stood ready to thwart any potential retaliation from the terror group.
“Israel fears a reaction from Iran and Hezbollah and is appealing to the United States and the West, which proves Israel’s deterrent and ability to defend itself is declining,” Nasrallah said on Tuesday in a tribute speech to the recently deceased commander, Fuad Shukr.
“The Israeli threat cannot be dealt with by simply pretending to be an ostrich and running from the storm, because the enemy fights without drawing lines,” Lebanese media reported. Lorient Le Jour“What is needed is confrontation and confrontation, not hesitation or submission.”
Shukr’s funeral came a week after he died during an Israeli strike aimed at eliminating those responsible for an attack that killed 12 children in the Golan Heights. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) planes flew over Beirut shortly before Nasrallah gave a speech in which he highlighted the “despicable” nature of Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces said a “suspicious aerial target” crossed the border from Lebanon before being shot down by Israeli forces.
Hezbollah supporters watch a speech by Hezbollah leader Said Hassan Nasrallah projected on a screen during a ceremony commemorating the death of a senior Hezbollah commander killed in an Israeli military attack in southern Lebanon last week, in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh, Lebanon, June 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussain)
Nasrallah also called for “patience” as Hezbollah and Iran plan their response to Israel, but called on other Arab countries to join the fight against Israel.
“We are in a battle with no end in sight. I call on the resistance in Gaza and the West Bank to show greater patience and resoluteness,” Nasrallah said. “I call on the supporting fronts in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen to continue supporting Gaza despite the sacrifices. I call on Arab countries to wake up to the dangers that threaten the region.”
Israel’s National Emergency Medical Services prepares for Hezbollah response after IDF attack: ‘On high alert’
A funeral was held for Yasir Nemir Karnish, a former bodyguard for Hezbollah Chairman Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in a clash on the Israeli-Lebanese border in Beirut, Lebanon on July 10, 2024. Karnish’s relatives and Hezbollah supporters attended the funeral. (Hussam Shubaro/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Israel stressed that it was preparing for a potential response to Shukr’s death or that of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Iran has blamed Israel for.
Israeli security officials told residents within 10 miles of the Lebanese border to stay in protected areas early Tuesday due to expected attacks from Hezbollah, according to Israeli news agency TPS-IL.
IDF reveals four reasons for killing Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr
Hezbollah fighters and mourners attend the funeral of slain top commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut’s southern suburbs on August 1, 2024. Hezbollah on August 1 recovered Shukr’s body from the rubble of a July 30 Israeli attack in south Beirut that killed five civilians, three women and two children and wounded dozens, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, amid growing fears of an escalating conflict in the region. (Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images)
Following Nasrallah’s speech, the Israel Defense Forces X video title“We are eliminating the Hezbollah threat one by one. This is how the IDF is eliminating Hezbollah’s most dangerous commanders to protect civilians.” The video shows Israeli forces eliminating several senior Hezbollah terrorists.
“The IDF is determined, consistent and strong,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wrote on social media platform X in response to Nasrallah’s remarks. “It is ready for defense and attack.”
During an on-camera discussion with fighter pilots and Israeli Air Force personnel, Gallant said he was working with U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Mike Kurilla and Defense Secretary Gen. Lloyd Austin, and assured them the U.S. would continue to “support us and work with us” and asserted that “Israeli-U.S. cooperation is critical to our readiness.”
“I look back at what you have accomplished in the month of July alone, including the spectacularly successful attack on the port of Hodeidah, which eliminated Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif and Khan Younis Brigade commander Rafa Salama,” Gallant told the soldiers.
Click here to get the FOX News app
“After the murder of 12 children in Majdal Shams, you killed Hezbollah’s military leader, Mohsan, Nasrallah’s right-hand man,” Gallant said. “You did all this with precise intelligence and powerful capabilities.”
“The values that drive us are courage, determination and perseverance,” Gallant added.
