Israel-Hamas War: Lebanon-based terror group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has said it is “fully prepared” to join Hamas in the battleground against Israel “when the time comes”. This comes as the Jewish country’s military launched a raid in the Gaza Strip days after launching airstrikes following Hamas’ surprise assault on October 7.
Speaking at a rally Hezbollah Deputy Chief Naim Qassem vowed Lebanon would join the fight “when the time comes for action.” Hundreds of people gathered for his speech in in solidarity with Hamas, waving the Palestinian and Hezbollah flags while chanting, “Death to Israel”, reported the New York Post.
He told supporters in a Beirut suburb that there would be no impact on Hezbollah by the foreign nations’ calls for the Lebanese militant group to not get involved.
“The behind-the-scenes calls with us by great powers, Arab countries, envoys of the United Nations, directly and indirectly, telling us not to interfere will have no effect,” Qassem said, as quoted by the NY Post.
“Hezbollah knows its duties perfectly well,” he said, adding “We are prepared and ready, fully ready, and we are following developments moment by moment.”
“The question being asked, which everyone is waiting for, is what Hezbollah will do and what will its contribution be? We will contribute to the confrontation within our plan — when the time comes for any action, we will carry it out,” Qassem added.
Notably, Hezbollah has already been engaged in the exchange of fire with the Israeli military on the Lebanese borders. The counter-attack from Israel across Lebanon has resulted in casualties of several journalists.
Iran had also backed Hamas’ action in Israel, though it rejected any involvement. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada and Germany among others have condemned the Hamas’ attack and voiced their support for Israel.
The war entered its eighth day on Saturday and the toll has breached the 3,200 mark with nearly 1,900 Palestinians dead in Gaza.
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