A formidable military force backed by Iran, Hezbollah has been engaging Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border in the deadliest escalation since it fought a war with Israel in 2006. Hezbollah has in recent years emerged as a potent force in the Middle East, boasting a multifaceted arsenal and diverse military capabilities that pose a considerable threat to Israel. There have been growing fears that the terror proxy will become involved in a war that has already seen around 1,400 from Israel killed in the October 7 massacre and 9,227 deaths in Gaza, according to Hamas officials. The Lebanese political and military group emerged in the early 1980s as a response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and officially announced its existence in 1985 with the release of its first manifesto. Initially the group was a large but informal conglomeration of Shia Muslims in Lebanon who were spurred on by Iran ‘s Islamic Revolution in the 1970s, which culminated in the overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic by Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini. The group adopted the name Hezbollah – which translates to ‘Party of God’ – with the primary goal of resisting Israeli occupation in Southern Lebanon. The group has been exchanging fire with Israel across the border intermittently since Hamas’ October 7 attacks – the latest escalation since Israel and Hezbollah fought a major war in 2006.
Published November 3, 2023
- Hezbollah has in recent years emerged as a potent force in the Middle East
It is known as Israel’s ‘monster to the north’ – a fearsome Iranian-backed military foe that claims to have 100,000 active fighters armed to the teeth with a terrifying array of weapons.
Hezbollah, or the ‘Party of God’ in Arabic, has emerged as a potent force in the Middle East in recent years boasting a multifaceted arsenal and diverse military capabilities that pose a considerable threat to Israel.
Now there are growing fears the terror proxy could ignite further chaos in the region by wading into a war that has already seen around 1,400 Israelis killed in the October 7 massacre and – according to Hamas officials – thousands of deaths in aerial bombardments in Gaza.
Ever since Hamas unleashed its horrifying slaughter of innocents in Israeli towns and cities, the Israeli Defence Forces have been fighting a battle on two fronts.
The IDF is conducting a non-stop bombardment of Hamas and has sent troops in to surround Gaza City, all while fending off rocket attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon to the north.
Today, the Lebanese political and military group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah issued chilling threats in a ranting speech, warning of ‘further escalation on the Lebanese front’.
Hezbollah emerged in the early 1980s as a response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and officially announced its existence in 1985 with the release of its first manifesto.
READ FULL STORY
SOURCE: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12707489/Hezbollah-Iranian-terror-proxy-ignite-chaos-Middle-East-Tehran-funded-trained-militia-ten-times-powerful-Hamas-threatening-Israel-US.html
RELATED: Hezbollah’s Nasrallah to break silence as Lebanon border skirmishes intensify
Iran-backed terror chief to make first public comments since devastating Hamas attack in speech that may signal if his terrorist army will widen conflict
FILE – In this Nov. 3, 2014 file photo, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah addresses supporters in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
Published November 1, 2023
Lebanon’s Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday will break weeks of silence since Hamas’s deadly onslaught sparked war with Israel last month, in a speech by the head of the Iran-backed terror group that could impact the region.
After Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented October 7 onslaught inside Israel by bursting through the Gaza border, killing over 1,400 people — most of them civilians, slaughtered amid brutal atrocities — and abducting over 240 to Gaza, Lebanon’s southern border has seen escalating exchanges of fire, mainly between Israel and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, stoking fears of a broader conflagration.
The cross-border attacks heated up Thursday, as Israel responded with a “broad assault” after Hezbollah claimed to have attacked 19 Israeli positions simultaneously.
Rockets also hit the northern town of Kiryat Shmona near the border in a barrage claimed by the Lebanese section of Hamas’s armed wing.
The town, as well as 42 border communities, were evacuated last month by the military and Defense Ministry amid the repeated attacks. Many residents in northern towns independently evacuated southward amid the attacks.
READ FULL STORY
SOURCE: https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollahs-nasrallah-to-break-silence-as-lebanon-border-skirmishes-intensify/
RELATED: Hezbollah steps back from all-out war on Israel over Gaza – for now
Published November 3, 2023
The Hezbollah leader took his time to respond to the past month of bloodletting which has turned the Middle East into a tinder box.
And when Hassan Nasrallah spoke, what he did not say was as important as what he said.
There was no declaration of all-out war on Israel. At least, not now.
Few in Lebanon had expected one.
Nasrallah knows there is little appetite in this country for another war with its powerful neighbour. The last one was in 2006.
Lebanese have troubles enough, with a shattered economy and a bankrupt political system.
That is a powerful deterrent, along with the two American aircraft carriers recently deployed to the eastern Mediterranean.
Hassan Nasrallah addressed the segregated rally – thousands strong – by video link from an undisclosed location.
It was not just his supporters who were hanging on his every word. His speech was required listening in Tel Aviv and in Washington. What Hezbollah does – or does not do – could be crucial now.
The Hezbollah leader declared that “all options are open,” adding that “the situation could escalate militarily at any time”.
That would depend, he said, on Israel’s actions in Gaza, and its approach towards Lebanon.
Hezbollah is already stepping up the pressure on Israel with an escalation in cross-border attacks, which has forced the Israeli army to divert troops to the area.
But Hamas wants more from its ally.
‘100% Palestinian operation’
At times, the fiery cleric sounded almost defensive about what his fighters have done so far.
“What’s taking place on our front is very important and significant,” he said.
“Those who claim that Hezbollah should engage swiftly in an all-out war with the enemy might see what is taking place on the border as minimal. But if look objectively, we will find it sizeable.”
He said 57 Hezbollah fighters had been killed in recent weeks.
Predictably, he left the door open for a further escalation.
“I assure you this will not be the end,” he said, “this will not be sufficient.”
Hassan Nasrallah insisted that the 7 October attacks by Hamas were a “100% Palestinian operation”, carried out in great secrecy, concealed even from Hamas’s allies.
“It has no relation to any regional or international issues,” he said, in effect claiming he did not know and neither did Iran.
