Hassan Nasrallah: Resistance Capabilities Have Grown

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Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said, "The most important accomplishment of the 2006 war is achieving deterrence against Israel – this is the most important strategic and historic achievement."

In his speech on the anniversary of the July 2006 victory, Nasrallah stated, "The victory of the July War has entered into a new stage through the heroic confrontations of the Sword of Jerusalem battle," continuing to say, "The most prominent strategic achievement is striking a balance of deterrence and rules of engagement that protect and guarantee the security and safety of Lebanon."

Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that, "For 15 years since the July War, Israeli raids haven’t hit a target in Lebanese territory – Lebanon has enjoyed an unprecedented-since-1948 security and tranquility," adding that "what prevents the Israeli enemy from launching raids is its fear of a major confrontation with the resistance." 

He stressed, "What prevents this vicious and murderous enemy, which is protected by the United States and Arab countries, from attacking Lebanon? They fear a war on their army, which collapsed in 2006, a war on their infrastructure – they’re afraid for their existence."  

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah said, "Before 2006 and beyond, the primary issue of the Israeli enemy was the weapons of the resistance," pointing out that "some groups in Lebanon help whether they realize it or not, to achieve the goal of disarmament of the resistance."

Furthermore, Nasrallah also spoke about the recent aggression against Lebanese territory, explaining that "What happened a few days back was a dangerous development that has not happened since 15 years." He said that "Some matters require an immediate response… if retaliation is delayed, it loses its value."

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, addressing the back-and-forth which happened two days ago, said, "Our actions were intentional; they targeted an open area, we targeted an open area. This was to reinforce the old equation of deterrence, and not create a new one." He explains that the capabilities of the resistance have increased through its wide possession of precision missiles, which Hezbollah owns now in large numbers.

He added, "We purposely responded to the Israeli rockets during the day out of respect for people’s emotions so that they don’t feel fear and terror during the night," noting that Hezbollah has the courage to take responsibility for their actions in all formality – that includes issuing a statement along with the bombardment to send a message to the enemy.

Sayyed Nasrallah said, "An old equation was reinforced: they bomb an open area, we bomb an open area," continuing, "Any strike on Lebanon will be responded to in a proportionate manner." 

He stressed that "we will not neglect the achievements of the resistance in the July war, regardless of the dangers, because that will create safegrounds for the enemy to harass Lebanon," stressing that "whatever the internal situation in Lebanon is, for us, protecting our country and our people is our first responsibility."

"What happened yesterday is a response to the airstrikes only and has nothing to do with the response to the assassination of the two dear martyrs, Muhammad Qassem Tahan and Ali Kamel Mohsen," he reassured.

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem affirmed yesterday to Al Mayadeen that "The Israeli occupation must understand that Lebanon is not an open arena for settling accounts in it," stressing that "Israel must remain deterred."

On Wednesday evening, the Israeli Air Force attacked targets in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli media, "in response to the launching of 4 missiles from Lebanon" towards "Israel."

The Lebanese resistance responded Friday by bombing the occupied lands in Shebaa. Yesterday, Israeli media reported that 20 rockets were launched, indicating that "the recreation centers in the north remained relatively empty after the rockets were launched from Lebanon."

The People of the Resistance Are Those of Patience, Endurance

Hezbollah Secretary-General touched on the conflict that took place Friday in the Lebanese village Shwaya, saying that posting the incident was a "disgrace," for he was touched by the scenes he saw, sympathizing with others who saw it. "When I saw what happened in Shwaya I wished I was able to get to the young men so I could kiss their foreheads and hands," he added.

Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that the people of the resistance are those of patience and endurance, adding that they will always be in the position to sacrifice themselves and remain steadfast.

"The rockets in the launcher are evident of the resistance fighters' discipline, for the order was to launch 20 rockets," he noted.

"Our fighters were ordered to launch only 20 rockets on targets in Shebaa Farms. The rocket launcher has the capacity of 31 rockets. I could see the 11 remaining rockets still in the launcher," he continued.

The Secretary-General addressed the people of Shwaya and Hasbaiyya, telling them that if Hezbollah were able to attack the targeted sites from Shiite areas, they would have. He said they were militarily obligated to launch the rockets from the areas from which they were launched.

Nasrallah called on everyone not to hold the people of Shwaya and the Druze sect responsible for the assault on the resistance fighters. "It was not the people of Shwaya who attacked the fighters, and we appreciate everyone who stands by the resistance," he added.

Sayyed Hassan indicated that those who carried out the attack against "Israel" were highly disciplined and wise, stating that those who assaulted them must be held accountable and brought to justice.

Beirut Blast Anniversary

Regarding the Beirut Blast, whose anniversary was commemorated Wednesday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said, "Since the first day, political investment started by several media outlets upon orders by the US and Saudi Arabia."

"All parties who probed the blast reached a conclusion that there were no arms in the port," he added, continuing to say, "When this scenario failed, they resorted to propagating the ammonium nitrate scenario."

"Is there anything more ridiculous and worse than accusing Hezbollah of storing ammonium nitrate in the Beirut Port?" Wondered Sayyed Hassan, stressing that everything said since the blast is illogical and has no goal other than distorting the truth.

Nasrallah said if Hezbollah wanted to politically utilize the blast, they would have said the parties supporting the armed groups in Syria were the ones who brought the ammonium nitrate to Lebanon.

He indicated that those who spread fake news to mislead the investigation and public opinion insulted the blast's martyrs, saying they turned a national and humanitarian cause into a political and sectarian one.

"Hezbollah fears no investigation, for it is not facing accusations from the judicial authorities," Nasrallah added, saying what Hezbollah truly fears is the loss of truth, that is why the judiciary must announce its findings.

Secretary-General Nasrallah said, "What we are asking for is the announcement of the investigation's findings." He sees that the probe into the Beirut Blast is politicized and subject to discretion.

Sayyed Nasrallah addressed the families of those martyred and injured in the Beirut Blast by saying, "Do not allow the politicization of your children's blood."

Confrontations erupted Wednesday near Parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, between Lebanese demonstrators and the security services in light of the protests commemorating the Beirut blast on its first anniversary.

Khalde Incident Was a Massacre

Nasrallah touched on the crime that took place Sunday in Khalde, during which two Lebanese civilians were assaulted and murdered. He said, "What happened in Khalde was not an accident, it was a massacre perpetrated by a gang of criminals and murderers.

He stressed the need for arresting all those involved in the Khalde massacre as soon as possible and bringing them to justice.

"We need a definitive solution for the issue of assaulting people and blocking the highway leading to the south," he said, adding that those insisting on assaulting civilians and threatening civil peace must be arrested.

"Our issue is not with the Khalde Arabs nor the Arab Tribes, but rather with the murderous criminal group," Nasrallah asserted.