Hezbollah chief vows to force Israel to end Lebanon assault

By Wassim Sefieddine

BEIRUT (AA) – Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem vowed Wednesday to force Israel to halt its air and ground attacks on Lebanon.

"There is no place within Israel that is off-limits to missiles and drones launched from Lebanon,” Qassem said in a recorded speech.

He emphasized that the basis for any cease-fire negotiations “is the complete cessation of the Israeli aggression and the full protection of Lebanese sovereignty.”

Israel “possesses significant aerial capabilities, bolstered by an endless supply from the United States,” Qassem continued.

The Hezbollah chief said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seeking “to occupy Lebanon and eliminate Hezbollah’s presence.”

"We are currently in a defensive position to counter Israeli aggression against Lebanon and its expansionist aims," he added.

“The resistance will make the Israeli enemy seek a halt to the aggression,” Qassem vowed.

Israel has launched a massive air campaign in Lebanon since late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.

More than 3,000 people have been killed and over 13,500 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 this year.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala