Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared today in his first televised speech since the group launched missiles into Israel on 1/3 and Israel began its airstrike campaign in Lebanon: "We are confronting aggression. Our choice is to resist to the last breath and we will not surrender."

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem speaking at an unidentified location in Lebanon in 10/2024. Photo: AFP

Qassem rejected accusations that Hezbollah initiated the conflict with Israel. He emphasized: "Hezbollah and the Islamic movement are responding to offensive actions by Israel and the US. This is a legitimate right. For us, this is a war of survival."

The Middle East conflict escalated into Lebanon earlier this week after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli territory, reportedly in retaliation for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Subsequently, Israel deployed troops into towns and villages across southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials report that Israel's operation has resulted in at least 72 Lebanese civilian deaths and displaced over 83.000 people.

On 1/3, the Lebanese government announced an "immediate ban" on Hezbollah's military activities, demanding the group surrender its weapons. This follows months after a commitment to gradually disarm the force, a demand Hezbollah has consistently rejected.

In his latest address, Qassem criticized the Lebanese government's decision, asserting that by attempting to restrain Hezbollah, they are "sinking deeper into error and following Israel's demands."

On 4/3, the Israeli army issued an evacuation order for residents in dozens of villages across southern Lebanon, near the border. The order instructed them to "immediately" move north of the Litani River. An Israeli army spokesperson warned on X that moving south of the river would put lives at risk.

Location of Lebanon and Israel. Graphic: RANE

The region south of the Litani River, comprising approximately 8% of Lebanon's territory, primarily runs along the Israeli border. The Lebanese government claims to have completely pushed back Hezbollah's military presence in this area over recent months.

The evacuation order followed Israeli overnight airstrikes on Hazmieh, a southeastern suburb of Beirut, which struck a hotel. Other attacks targeted the towns of Aramoun and Saadiyat, just south of Beirut International Airport, resulting in 6 deaths and 8 injuries. A fourth wave of attacks hit the eastern city of Baalbek, killing 6 and injuring 15. All four airstrikes occurred without prior warning.

Vu Hoang (According to Washington Post, AFP, Reuters)