Sheikh Naim Qassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah, has spelled out the terrorist group’s policy regarding Israel, according to a recent report in Iranian pro-government media.
“We will never retreat in the field, and we will advance according to the conditions, and if the enemy’s aggression expands, our operations will also become more intense, and we will be victorious,” he was quoted as saying.
The comments come after Hezbollah continued to carry out rocket attacks on Israel this week. It targeted numerous areas along the northern border on Wednesday, including near Metulla and also near Shlomi. Hezbollah also carried out an ATGM attack on a winery and launched drones at Israel this week.
Hezbollah claims following attacks
Hezbollah also says it is only escalating incrementally. Its propaganda claims it is “pushing” Israel back. It also says the “ceiling of confrontation has been limited.”
By limited, Hezbollah means firing thousands of rockets at Israel and hundreds of ATGMs, as well as numerous kamikaze drones. Hezbollah has killed civilians and soldiers in its attacks.
Israel has retaliated, however, with the IAF striking more than 1,000 targets. Hezbollah is warning Israel against expanding its retaliations. So far, it said, it has only targeted the border communities. But it has threatened to target more of Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli citizens continue to be evacuated from the North and have been living in hotels for four months.
Hezbollah has also closely watched what is going on in Gaza. Recent reports said Hezbollah wants Hamas to climb down from its high demands so that a ceasefire might be achieved in a hostage deal. Another report said Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had counted on Hezbollah joining his war against Israel. But Hezbollah preferred incremental attacks.
Hezbollah also monitored US-Israel ties after October 7 and took into account that the US wanted it to refrain from a major attack. Hezbollah believes Israel was also discouraged from escalating in the North, the article said.