Hezbollah leader warns about possible incursion into northern Israel amid rising tensions

By Wassim Saifuldine

BEIRUT (AA) - Hezbollah Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah warned on Wednesday that the possibility of an incursion into the Galilee region in northern Israel remains plausible in the event of a war.

His statement was made during a memorial ceremony for party leader Talib Sami Abdullah, also known as “Hajj Abu Talib,” who was killed in an Israeli airstrike June 12.

“The chance of sliding into a major war is possible at any moment, even though Hezbollah does not desire a comprehensive war,” said Nasrallah.

He emphasized that “for the first time since 1948, a security belt has been formed in northern Israel, which has understood since Oct. 8 that its positions will be targeted, and we have enough information about their fortifications, devices, and personnel.”

“So far, we have fought with a portion of our weapons and acquired new ones, the nature of which will become evident on the battlefield,” he said.

Nasrallah noted that Hezbollah manufactures missiles in Lebanon for use in operations.

He claimed that Israel is hiding its losses on the northern front to avoid further pressure.

“Forty-two settlements have been fully evacuated, and the enemy's military and security deterrence image is collapsing among its people and the world,” he said.

Nasrallah warned the Greek Cypriot government against allowing its airports to be used by Israel during the conflict, asserting that it would make Southern Cyprus a party to the war and “Hezbollah would treat it accordingly.”

Talib Sami Abdullah, 55, was killed along with three other members. His death followed Wissam Al-Tawil, another top Hezbollah fighter who was assassinated by Israel in January.

Abdullah was the commander of the Al Nasr Unit responsible for the group’s operations between the Bint Jbeil area and the Shebaa Farms.

Hezbollah's media broadcast images of Abdullah in military attire with the late Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 37,400 victims since October, following an attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio