UPDATE - Hezbollah leader warns of possible incursion into northern Israel as tensions rise

UPDATES WITH DECKS, GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT AMBASSADOR TO TEL AVIV STATEMENTS

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 are collapsing among its people and the world,” he said.

Nasrallah warned the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus 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.”

Later in the day, Greek Cypriot envoy to Tel Aviv, Kornelios Korneliou, said an official response would be made in the wake of Nasrallah's comments.

"When a person like Nasrallah issues threats, there will certainly be a response. We are awaiting the official response," Korneliou told Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

Korneliou also said the Greek Cypriot administration is "trying to play a modest role in facilitating the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza in close coordination with Israel."

"I am certain that all of this is unwelcome by Hezbollah," he added.

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