Hezbollah's Warning Escalates Amid Renewed Israeli Attacks on Lebanon
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem issues a stark warning in response to Israeli airstrikes, highlighting tensions in a region still recovering from recent conflict.
BEIRUT: Naim Kassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah, issued a warning on March 29, 2025, stating that the group would explore other actions if Israeli attacks on Lebanon persist and if the Lebanese government fails to intervene.
His remarks followed Israel's recent airstrike on Beirut, marking the first such offensive since a ceasefire concluded the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict last November.
The recent hostilities began after two rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, with Hezbollah denying any involvement in the attack.
Following this incident, Israeli forces targeted Lebanese positions, prompting Kassem's address, which had originally been scheduled for Jerusalem Day, a significant date commemorated by supporters of Palestine.
The Israeli airstrikes prompted the postponement of the speech, typically held on the last Friday of Ramadan.
The 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah ended under a US-brokered ceasefire, which stipulated that Israeli forces should vacate all Lebanese territory by late January.
Hezbollah was required to cease its military activities south of the Litani River bordering Israel.
Although the deadline was extended to February 18, Israeli forces remain entrenched in five border locations.
Reports indicate that Israeli military operations continue, targeting locations deemed to harbor Hezbollah assets across Lebanon.
Recent strikes in Lebanon have resulted in fatalities, including six last week—three individuals killed and eighteen injured, predominantly women and children, in a single airstrike.
Kassem stated during his televised speech, 'We fully complied and we have no presence south of the Litani but Israel did not abide.
Israel is carrying aggressions every day.' He characterized the Israeli strikes as 'aggressions' exceeding acceptable limits and suggested that these actions might be attempts to pressure Lebanon into normalizing relations with Israel, a proposition vehemently opposed by Hezbollah.
'Israel will not obtain what it failed to achieve in war during peacetime,' Kassem warned, reaffirming Hezbollah's commitment to resistance.
He indicated that should the situation deteriorate, and the Lebanese state be unable to maintain the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah would consider 'other alternatives,' hinting at a possible resurgence of militant action against Israeli forces within Lebanon.
Kassem emphasized, 'We will not allow anyone to deprive us from using our force and capabilities to confront this enemy,' reaffirming Hezbollah's resolve against perceived American and Israeli projects in the region.
He characterized the group's patience as a strategy to find workable solutions that minimize further suffering and casualties.
The context of these developments is underscored by the wider implications of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The hostilities have roots in escalated tensions since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals.
The conflict saw a significant escalation by September, with heavy casualties reported on both sides, including over 4,000 deaths in Lebanon and significant displacement within Israel.
His remarks followed Israel's recent airstrike on Beirut, marking the first such offensive since a ceasefire concluded the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict last November.
The recent hostilities began after two rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, with Hezbollah denying any involvement in the attack.
Following this incident, Israeli forces targeted Lebanese positions, prompting Kassem's address, which had originally been scheduled for Jerusalem Day, a significant date commemorated by supporters of Palestine.
The Israeli airstrikes prompted the postponement of the speech, typically held on the last Friday of Ramadan.
The 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah ended under a US-brokered ceasefire, which stipulated that Israeli forces should vacate all Lebanese territory by late January.
Hezbollah was required to cease its military activities south of the Litani River bordering Israel.
Although the deadline was extended to February 18, Israeli forces remain entrenched in five border locations.
Reports indicate that Israeli military operations continue, targeting locations deemed to harbor Hezbollah assets across Lebanon.
Recent strikes in Lebanon have resulted in fatalities, including six last week—three individuals killed and eighteen injured, predominantly women and children, in a single airstrike.
Kassem stated during his televised speech, 'We fully complied and we have no presence south of the Litani but Israel did not abide.
Israel is carrying aggressions every day.' He characterized the Israeli strikes as 'aggressions' exceeding acceptable limits and suggested that these actions might be attempts to pressure Lebanon into normalizing relations with Israel, a proposition vehemently opposed by Hezbollah.
'Israel will not obtain what it failed to achieve in war during peacetime,' Kassem warned, reaffirming Hezbollah's commitment to resistance.
He indicated that should the situation deteriorate, and the Lebanese state be unable to maintain the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah would consider 'other alternatives,' hinting at a possible resurgence of militant action against Israeli forces within Lebanon.
Kassem emphasized, 'We will not allow anyone to deprive us from using our force and capabilities to confront this enemy,' reaffirming Hezbollah's resolve against perceived American and Israeli projects in the region.
He characterized the group's patience as a strategy to find workable solutions that minimize further suffering and casualties.
The context of these developments is underscored by the wider implications of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The hostilities have roots in escalated tensions since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals.
The conflict saw a significant escalation by September, with heavy casualties reported on both sides, including over 4,000 deaths in Lebanon and significant displacement within Israel.
