Nasrallah: Attack on Israel was a Palestinian decision, we are winning, we are not afraid of the American fleet

(Patria) - Secretary General of the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addressed supporters in Beirut via video link, as reported by numerous Lebanese and other media.

Following Hamas's attack on October 7 and Israel's response, Nasrallah had not made a statement, and his deputy Naim Qassem had spoken on his behalf recently via social media. However, Qassem's words did not indicate how Hezbollah, which defeated the Israeli army in southern Lebanon in 2006 when Beirut and Lebanon were heavily bombed, would behave.

Therefore, the public awaited Nasrallah's address. It should be noted that various military and political officials from Iran visited Beirut in recent days, but Nasrallah did not directly address his supporters even then.

Before the address, the event began with a commemoration for the "martyrs who fell on the path to Al-Quds (the Arabic name for Jerusalem) in the southern suburb of Beirut (Dahiyeh), the city of Nabatieh, Deir Qanoun Al-Nahra, and Baalbek," according to Lebanese media.

In his speech today, Nasrallah said they gathered to pay "homage to all martyrs from various factions and movements, Lebanese and Palestinian."

When seeking a battle that embodies complete legitimacy from a humanitarian, moral, and religious perspective, the battle against the Zionist occupation in Palestine is unparalleled, Nasrallah said.

He then welcomed all those who stood in solidarity, offered support, and gathered from the Arab, Islamic, and Latin American nations, especially acknowledging the courage of the Iraqis and Yemenis, who have entered the very heart of this noble battle, Al Manar reported.

The Suffering of Palestinians and the Behavior of the International Community

The difficult situation of the Palestinian people has been widely recognized for over 75 years, but recently, conditions in Palestine have become increasingly dire, exacerbated by the presence of a misguided, irrational, and cruel Israeli government, he continued.

For nearly two decades, over two million people in Gaza have endured challenging living conditions, with little relief from the international community. The policies of the extremist Israeli government have only worsened the suffering, especially for prisoners, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis, Nasrallah said.

He described Hamas's October 7 attack as a product of Palestinian determination, the planning of which was kept secret from everyone, including those based in Gaza, and added that its implications would long affect Israel and have "existential and strategic implications."

Hamas's operation "exposed the vulnerability of the entity (Israel), revealed its fragility, and showed that it is indeed more fragile than a spider's web. The American administration, along with its president, ministers, and generals, quickly intervened to support the destabilized entity, aiming to restore some semblance of stability; however, the entity (Israel) has yet to regain the initiative and remains in an insecure state."

Even as American generals arrive to assist Israel and open their stockpiles for the Israeli army, and Israel seeks ten billion dollars from the outset, it raises questions about Israel's true strength and its ability to regain stability and self-sufficiency, he continued.

He added that this is "the beginning of a new historical era for the destiny of regional nations," and that Israel has learned nothing from the 2006 war, and that the same scenario is unfolding in Gaza, with children, women, and civilians suffering, which "exposes the falsehoods with which global and international media... are 'covering up the reality' of Israel."

US Responsibility

He attributed responsibility for the events in Gaza to the United States, which is preventing any agreement to stop the attacks. For this reason, he praised the Iraqi militias who attacked American bases in that country and Syria, calling it a "wise and brave move."

Two goals require our attention: Stopping the aggression on Gaza and ensuring Hamas's victory, he said, adding that this victory is a national interest for Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and especially Lebanon.

He stated that "efforts to stop the aggression on Gaza should go beyond mere condemnation; it is imperative to take decisive action, such as severing diplomatic relations and recalling ambassadors," and he praised "the people of Yemen" who launched rockets and drones towards Israel, even if intercepted, and expects them to eventually reach Israeli military bases.

Hezbollah is involved in the war and achieving successes

To those calling for Hezbollah to engage in this conflict, he said they have been involved since October 8, and added that what is happening on the Lebanese front will not be limited to that but will expand further.

Since October 8, Hezbollah has been actively involved in the battle, the full weight of which is understood only by those physically present in the border region, in a conflict characterized by unique circumstances, objectives, methods, and targets, and that a significant portion of Israeli forces originally intended for the attack on Gaza has been diverted, he pointed out.

Nasrallah said that Hezbollah has drawn approximately one-third of the Israeli army to the border with Lebanon, including a significant number of elite units, and that almost half of Israel's naval capabilities in the Mediterranean are directed towards Hezbollah and Haifa. A quarter of Israel's air force has been diverted towards Lebanon, and almost half of the missile defense systems are oriented towards the Lebanese front, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of Israelis in the border area.

He claims that these Hezbollah operations along the border have caused anxiety, tension, and panic among the Israeli and American leadership. The enemy is deeply concerned about the possibility of further escalation on this front or the outbreak of a wider conflict; this is a very real possibility that should not be dismissed and must be seriously considered by the enemy, he added.

The resistance operations in southern Lebanon serve as a deterrent to the enemy and send a clear message to any potential aggressor who might consider attacking Lebanon or launching a preemptive operation; such actions would be the greatest folly in the history of Israel's existence, he said.

American Warnings and Hezbollah's Response

From the very beginning, we were warned that opening a front in the south would lead to American airstrikes, but this threat has never shaken our resolve or position, the Hezbollah leader emphasized, adding that they have initiated actions on this front, the escalation and development of which depend on two fundamental factors: events in Gaza and Israel's behavior towards Lebanon. He then warned Israel that civilians in Lebanon must not be targeted, as this could lead to a situation where "civilians are pitted against each other."

All possibilities on the Lebanese front remain open and possible at any moment, for which Hezbollah must be prepared.

Sayyed Nasrallah also addressed the United States, saying that their fleets in the Mediterranean do not and will never instill fear in Hezbollah, and that they have made preparations to confront them. Those who disrupted your plans in the early 1980s are still very much alive today, along with their children and grandchildren, Nasrallah conveyed, adding that those who aim to prevent an American war should act quickly to stop the aggression on Gaza, because in the event of a regional conflict, naval fleets and air warfare will prove futile.

In the event of any regional war, it is important to know that your interests and soldiers will be the ones who suffer the most and bear the greatest losses, Nasrallah told the Americans.

Message to Palestinians

Nasrallah conveyed to the Palestinian people and the resistance fighters in the region that "although it may take us more time, it is worth noting that we are currently achieving victories in various aspects, similar to how we did in 2006."

It is imperative that we all strive to end the aggression on Gaza, ensuring the triumph of the resistance, he said. This battle is characterized by resilience, patience, endurance, and the accumulation of achievements, all with the aim of preventing the enemy from achieving its goals.

Based on his personal experience and interaction with Imam Khamenei, he can confirm his unwavering belief and conviction that Gaza will ultimately emerge victorious and that Palestine will achieve triumph, he said.

Gaza will win, Palestine will triumph, and we will soon gather to celebrate this victory, Nasrallah concluded.