Hezbollah Leader Gives Update on Situation on Lebanon's Border with Israel
On January 5, Hezbollah General Secretary Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah made a speech at the memorial ceremony for the late Hezbollah official Hajj Mohammad Yaghi (Abu Salim), that addressed the situation on Lebanon's southern border with Israel and the operations undertaken there by Hezbollah since October 8, 2023, in support of the Palestinian Resistance. Below is the report from Lebanese news outlet Al Manar on this speech.
Hezbollah's Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah pledged a swift response to Israel's airstrike in Beirut [on January 3] that killed Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri, asserting Lebanon's chance to liberate its remaining land after Gaza aggression ceases, and emphasizing the need for a real equation preventing sovereignty violations.
Addressing the memorial ceremony for the late Hezbollah official Hajj Mohammad Yaghi (Abu Salim) in Baalbek on Friday [January 5], Sayyed Nasrallah indicated that the ongoing battle in the south represents a historic opportunity for the full liberation of Lebanon. Emphasizing that the resistance's operations along the southern border confirm deterrence equations with the Zionist enemy, he highlighted the chance to establish an equation preventing any encroachment on Lebanon's sovereignty. He credited the Lebanese front for creating this new opportunity.
Tackling the Islamic resistance front opposing the Zionist enemy along the southern Lebanese border which has initiated operations one day after the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted the media's disregard for this crucial front.
Sayyed Nasrallah revealed that, spanning over 100 kilometres and lasting more than 90 days, the resistance systematically targeted all enemy border positions and numerous rear sites and settlements in response to Zionist attacks on civilians. "Spanning over 100 kilometres and extending across a duration surpassing 90 days, our response to attacks on civilians encompassed the precise targeting of not only all Israeli border sites but also a significant array of rear sites and settlements. The resistance executed over 670 operations in the past months, with some days witnessing up to 23 operations," Sayyed Nasrallah said.
"The targeted sites comprised 48 border sites and 11 rear positions. Additionally, 50 border points, where enemy soldiers sought refuge, were repeatedly targeted, along with 17 settlements," his eminence specified.
Reflecting on the results of this ongoing confrontation, which endured for three months, he underscored the significant toll on enemy soldiers and officers, emphasizing the exhaustive nature of the operations. "Despite the enemy's media secrecy, the resistance countered with approximately 90 video releases, revealing the reality of the situation."
"Every hostile location was systematically targeted, focusing on technical and intelligence equipment. No border post remained untouched, as each one underwent multiple rounds of precise strikes. The technical equipment targeted by the resistance is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars," the secretary general said.
Addressing the destruction of tanks and vehicles, including incidents involving collapsing roofs on soldiers, Sayyed Nasrallah cited enemy sources from the Israeli Defense Ministry, suggesting that the number of disabled soldiers may have reached 12,000 since October 7. He emphasized that every border site had been targeted multiple times, with a focus on the destruction of technical and intelligence equipment in all hostile locations.
Hezbollah's leader dismissed misconceptions about the resistance's actions, clarifying, "Our skilled marksmen direct the guided missile through the window of the enemy's vehicle," and refuted claims that they were merely "bombing the column." He highlighted the precision of the resistance's actions, explaining, "We are targeting equipment on poles worth hundreds of millions of dollars, exercising control over extensive parts of Lebanon."
"In the second stage, enemy soldiers sought refuge in evacuated settlements and in the vicinity of the sites due to fear of the resistance factions and their targeted attacks on specific locations," Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted, emphasizing the acquisition of accurate intelligence, photos, and footage regarding enemy positions and gatherings, leading to the destruction of numerous tanks and vehicles. Sayyed Nasrallah noted that the enemy attempted to compensate for technical losses by deploying drones and reconnaissance aircraft, maintaining strict media secrecy about casualties.
He pointed out that experts within the enemy entity estimate the real death toll to be three times higher than what the occupation army discloses. According to the Israeli Ministry of Health sources, there are over 2,000 casualties on the northern front.
Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that if people were aware of the enemy's human and vehicle losses, they wouldn't doubt the futility of fighting on the northern front. He asserted that the enemy's concealment of losses is part of psychological warfare to avoid embarrassment in its society.
Addressing the situation on the southern border, Sayyed Nasrallah quoted an Israeli minister describing it as a humiliation for "Israel." He clarified that the resistance targeted military objectives, officers, and soldiers, and any strikes on houses were responses to the enemy's attacks on civilians.
Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that one outcome of the fighting on the southern front was the displacement of people from northern settlements, reversing the historical trend where Lebanese people were the ones being displaced during wars. "This displacement is expected to exert psychological, political, and security pressure on the enemy's government, along with increasing anxiety on the northern front."
Responding to queries about the feasibility of opening the northern front, Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed that the primary goals were to pressure the enemy's government, exhaust the enemy to halt aggression on Gaza, and relieve pressure on the resistance in Gaza's field situation. He asserted that these goals have been achieved through the Lebanese front, forcing the enemy to deploy a significant number of soldiers and withhold information about entire divisions and brigades from Gaza due to fears of developments on the front.
Sayyed Nasrallah questioned, "Does the significant number of casualties, destruction of vehicles, and displacement on the northern front not exert pressure on the enemy's government?" Sayyed Nasrallah explained that the security belt within the entity in the north extends to a depth of three km, and in some areas, it reaches seven km.
Addressing settlers seeking a "solution" with Hezbollah, Nasrallah cautioned that such a choice is misguided, and they would be the first to pay the price. He urged them to turn to their government to halt the aggression against Gaza, emphasizing that any other option would only result in more displacement and higher costs for the settlers in the north.
Responding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about the resistance tent at the border, Sayyed Nasrallah challenged him to acknowledge the destruction of 48 border sites, 11 rear sites, and attacks on 17 settlements and 50 border points. He questioned whether it was the resistance causing Israeli soldiers to hide like "mice," emphasizing that the scale of daily operations serves as a deterrent. Sayyed Nasrallah underscored that what is happening on the southern border is a real war, far beyond the symbolism of a "tent." "The era of the tent which Netanyahu boasts about is now relegated to the past, as we find ourselves engaged in a tangible and substantial battle today."
Sayyed Nasrallah reminded that the current operations on the southern border are not a new initiative by the resistance since 1948. In the past, only one operation similar to today's activities occurred, resulting in Israeli bombings in Beirut. "In previous times, a single operation would result in extensive destruction across southern Lebanon," Sayyed Nasrallah said. He noted that the Israelis are now proving the deterrence equations established by the resistance many years ago.
The secretary general saw an opportunity for Lebanon to liberate the rest of its land after the cessation of aggression against Gaza, extending from the B1 area to the Shebaa Farms. Emphasizing the chance to establish an equation preventing the enemy from violating Lebanon's sovereignty, he stressed that dialogue and negotiation would yield no results unless the aggression against Gaza stops.
"We find ourselves at a historic juncture, presenting a unique
opportunity to fully liberate every inch of our land and
establish an
equation that safeguards our country's sovereignty, an
opportunity
initiated by the blessings of the Lebanese front," his eminence
said.
Arouri Assassination
Funeral in Beirut,
Lebanon, January 4, 2024 for Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri and others
martyred
with him.
Regarding the recent Zionist attack on Beirut and the assassination of Hamas' Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri, Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed that such a major and dangerous breach in the southern suburbs of Lebanon is unacceptable. He expressed deep sorrow for the loss of Sheikh Saleh, emphasizing a strong friendship.
Sayyed Nasrallah asserted that the killing will not go without a response or punishment, with the field being the venue for this inevitable retaliation. "The killing of Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri will undoubtedly not go unanswered or unpunished, the decision lies in the hands of the field, and it will undoubtedly be implemented," he warned.
Remaining silent about such a serious violation would expose all of Lebanon to greater harm than any potential risks from responding in the field. "We cannot remain silent in the face of such a grave violation, as it puts Lebanon at risk."
In his January 3 speech, Sayyed Nasrallah warned the Israeli
enemy
against launching an all-out war on Lebanon, affirming that the
Islamic
Resistance will then fight without any limit. His eminence
indicated
that, till now, the operations carried out by Hezbollah are
regulated
in a way that
abides by the Lebanese national interests, threatening the
Israeli
enemy that the limits will backlash in case of any war on
Lebanon.
Iraqi Front
Shifting to the situation in Iraq, Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted a historic opportunity for the country to rid itself of U.S. occupation, especially given the current strategic defeat faced by the United States and NATO in Ukraine. "The underlying motive is the support for Gaza, and the U.S. administration is apprehensive about it, grappling with a predicament in Ukraine," Sayyed Nasrallah said on the Iraqi military operations taking place nowadays.
He pointed out that the U.S. forces have targeted members of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, emphasizing the chance for Iraq to break free from the deception and lies of the U.S. occupation. "An advantageous outcome of the Islamic resistance in Iraq opening a front in support of Gaza is the genuine prospect for Iraq to liberate itself from the U.S. occupation."
Sayyed Nasrallah urged the Iraqi government, the House of Representatives, and the Iraqi people to unite in rejecting the criminal occupiers who are complicit in atrocities in Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon. "Today, there exists a historic opportunity for the Iraqi government, the House of Representatives, and the Iraqi people to extricate themselves from the occupiers and perpetrators of violence, those responsible for the bloodshed of Iraqis, Iranians, and the people of the region," his eminence said.
He commended the Iraqi government's courageous stance in support of the Al-Aqsa Flood and called for the expulsion of U.S. forces from Iraq, asserting that Iraq does not need the U.S. to combat ISIS, highlighting the national blessing of solidarity with Gaza as an essential part of the opportunity for U.S. forces to leave Iraq.
"Iraq does not need U.S. forces to combat ISIS. Currently, there are indications that certain elements associated with ISIS in Syria have sought refuge or support from U.S. forces," Hezbollah leader said.
Yemeni Front
Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted that certain Arab regimes and media outlets, in an attempt to deflect attention from their own failures, resorted to ridiculing the actions of the resistance front, particularly when Yemeni forces targeted Eilat [Israel's southernmost city]. These critics accused Yemen of seeking to restore its image in the Arab world. "Al-Qaeda actively sought to undermine and discredit all efforts by the axis of resistance in supporting Gaza, attempting to mask their own failures. Those who underestimate the actions of the resistance axis today are individuals who have failed to contribute anything since the onset of the aggression on Gaza," his eminence said.
"Engaging in jihad brings honour, while refraining from it leads to humiliation," Sayyed Nasrallah stressed, adding that the silent and negligent regimes were taken aback by the unexpected actions of the Yemeni in the Red Sea.
Hezbollah's top commander commended Ansarullah, Abdul-Mali al-Hath, and the government in Sana'a for their steadfastness, emphasizing that their concern was always about their image and status before God Almighty.
Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that some individuals are fundamentally unsuitable for positions that require confronting the enemy, as their psychological and spiritual levels are much lower.
He noted that the Yemeni position has prompted various segments to reassess their internal stance towards Ansarullah, emphasizing that Yemen has now firmly established itself in regional and international equations, causing the world to take notice.
"A significant national achievement is that the Sana'a government has evolved from being an internal faction to becoming a pivotal component of the international equation, compelling the world to reckon with it despite attempts to marginalize," his eminence said.
Sayyed Nasrallah questioned the absence of the Israeli Air Force in Yemen, attributing it to Yemeni deterrence.
Addressing the Yemeni people's recent demonstrations, Sayyed Nasrallah conveyed a message directed at the U.S. administration, particularly President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and the Minister of War. He emphasized that Yemen's message to the U.S. is that it is not facing just a government, state, or army named Ansarullah. Instead, it confronts tens of millions of Yemeni people with a history of inflicting defeats on occupiers. "The message from Yemen today is directed at the United States. It emphasizes that the challenge is not merely against the Ansarullah movement but against tens of millions of Yemeni people with a history of thwarting aggressors and inflicting defeats."
Sayyed Nasrallah urged the Biden administration to understand
this
history and emphasized that Yemen will not stop or hesitate. He
concluded by stating that Yemen is gaining increasing pride in
the Arab
and Islamic world, as well as in the eyes of friends and enemies
alike.
To the Resistance Environment
Addressing the families of the martyrs of the Islamic Resistance, Sayyed Nasrallah wholeheartedly expressed his wish to take part in condolences. "Given my security circumstances, what I earnestly desire and hope for is to stand by your side, expressing my deep gratitude by kissing your hands and foreheads."
Turning to the people in the south, he said: "Had the fate of the enemy been to defeat the resistance in Gaza and displace its people, their next target would have been southern Lebanon, particularly in southern Litani. It is you who shattered their ambition."
"Hezbollah fighters are courageously battling in a cold and rain-soaked terrain, amidst enemy shelling. They persist in advancing and launching attacks on enemy positions and gatherings, ready to be the ones to respond to the significant breach in Dahieh," his eminence indicated.
At the beginning of his speech, Sayyed Nasrallah renewed condolences to the martyrs who fell at the shrine of Hajj Qasem Soleimani in Kerman, Iran. He offered condolences to Iraq, Sayyed Ali Sistani, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the Nujaba Movement on the martyrdom of Hajj Abu Taqwa al-Saidi.
Sayyed Nasrallah allocated a significant part of his speech to talk about Hajj Abu Salim Yaghi, whose commemoration ceremony was held in Sayyeda Khawla Shrine in Baalbek. He enumerated the multiple traits of Yaghi along with the deep friendship that gathered them.
"Hajj Abu Salim emerged as a revolutionary force and dedicated activist in the Baalbek region, leaving an indelible mark on his surroundings. My testimony regarding Hajj Abu Salim is not just a mere account; it stands as a tangible testament to our enduring connection that dates back to our youth in 1978 ... From the outset, a profound bond of brotherhood, love, friendship, and unwavering trust blossomed between us within the first few hours of our acquaintance."
(Slightly edited for style by TML.)
This article was published in
Volume 54
Number 3 - January 10, 2024
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2024/Articles/MS54035.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca