Hezbollah says 'prepared' for action against Israel when time comes

AFP , Friday 13 Oct 2023

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement on Friday said it would be "fully prepared" to join its ally Hamas in the war against Israel when the time is right.

Hezbollah
File photo: Lebanese Hezbollah fighters stand near multiple rocket launchers during a press tour in the southern Lebanese village of Aaramta, on May 21, 2023, ahead of the anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. AFP

 

Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem spoke as Israel rained air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1,537 Palestinians. The grisly retaliation comes after Hamas militants killed more than 1,300 people on Saturday in an unprecedented attack on Israel.

"We, as Hezbollah, are contributing to the confrontation and will (continue) to contribute to it within our vision and plan," Qassem told a pro-Palestinian rally in Beirut's southern suburbs.

"We are fully prepared, and when the time comes for action, we will take it," he said.

The official, whose remarks coincided with a visit by Iran's foreign minister to Beirut, rebuffed calls for Hezbollah to stay out of the war.

An outreach by "major countries, Arab countries, and envoys from the United Nations, directly and indirectly, asking us not to interfere in the battle, will not affect us", he said, adding that "Hezbollah knows its duties".

Israel has traded fire with Hezbollah and allied Palestinian factions in Lebanon in recent days, although the tit-for-tat attacks have remained limited.

On Monday, Hezbollah said Israeli strikes killed three of its members, while Palestinian fighters claimed a thwarted infiltration bid.

Israel said it hit Hezbollah observation posts on Tuesday, while Hamas's armed wing claimed rocket fire.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli position near the village of Dhayra. Israeli weapons fire shortly after wounded three people and turned Dhayra into a ghost town.

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