Hezbollah hails Al-Aqsa Flood, in contact with Palestinian Resistance
Hezbollah says Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is a decisive response to the Israeli occupation’s persistent crimes and continuing violations.
Hezbollah, on Saturday, congratulated the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Resistance fighters, especially Al-Qassam Brigades and the Hamas movement on the "large-scale, heroic operation crowned with victory, divine support, and the promise of final, comprehensive victory."
Hours after the Palestinian Resistance launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Hezbollah said in a statement that this victorious operation is a decisive response to the occupation’s persistent crimes and its continuing violations and a new confirmation of the will of the Palestinian people, confirming that resistance is the only option in the face of aggression and occupation.
The statement stressed that the operation is "a message to the Arab and Islamic world and the entire international community, especially those seeking normalization with this enemy, that the Palestinian cause is very much alive, and it shall not die until victory and liberation."
Hezbollah called on the peoples of the Arab and Islamic nations and the free people of the world to declare support for the Palestinian people and the Resistance movements.
The statement pointed out that the leadership of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon is closely keeping pace with the important developments on the Palestinian scene and is following the field situation with great interest, emphasizing that it is in direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian Resistance at home and abroad, and both sides are conducting a continuous assessment of events and the progress of operations.
#Watch | Footage shows Palestinian Resistance destroying a Merkava tank in the #Gaza Strip.#AlAqsaFlood #طوفان_الأقصى
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023
#Palestine pic.twitter.com/PpylCXG8Gj
Elsewhere, Hezbollah called on the Israeli occupation government to deduce the important lessons taught by the Palestinian Resistance on the battlefield and the different arenas of confrontation.
Earlier, Mohammad Deif, Commander-in-Chief of al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced the launching of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood following a barrage of rockets fired and crossing over to Gaza Envelope settlements.
Israeli media commented on the current developments in occupied Palestine, saying, "Israel has no control over what is currently happening in the Gaza envelope," highlighting that there are some who have not yet realized the gravity of the situation.
Israeli media outlets further stressed in its coverage what it described as "the most strategic event witnessed in the Palestinian scene," which it said took "Israel" by surprise that the settlers were panicking and "calling us to help them and ask the police to answer their calls."
Israeli media further noted that settlers within the "Gaza Envelope are begging the Israeli Army to deploy in the area," although more than three hours have passed since the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
According to the occupation’s media outlets, Resistance fighters "took control of the Sderot police station" and managed to leave behind a "large number of casualties," with settlers barricading themselves "in their houses on account of reports of Palestinian fighters having infiltrated a number of settlements."
Israeli Channel 12’s Palestinian affairs correspondent noted that "harsh images were circulated on Palestinian social media, which we will not show here, of an Israeli soldier who was taken captive by Hamas."
It is worth noting that photos and short videos went viral on social media, showing Israelis dead in the streets following the beginning of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
Unprecedented numbers of Israeli casualties, captives
Meanwhile, Israeli media have reported multiple hostages and Israeli fatalities resulting from the operation in the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, an Israeli medical official has confirmed that the number of casualties is significant and cannot be ascertained at this moment.
According to Israeli media, a number of settlers have been killed and others were kidnapped, while battles are currently taking place in the Gaza envelope settlements.
Watch | Israeli settlers hide in a trash container out of fear of #Palestinians who crossed over to the settlements in the #Gaza Strip. #Palestine pic.twitter.com/xWEjuM9ty4
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023
Deif said the operation comes in response to the Israeli occupation's desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as multiple assaults against women in its yards.
He confirmed that the Resistance fired more than 5,000 rockets and shells during the first stage of strikes.
The Resistance leader addressed the Palestinian Resistance fighters, saying, "This is your day to make the enemy understand that its time has ended," adding that the Resistance had previously warned the Israeli occupation against assaulting women worshippers and desecrating al-Aqsa.
Al-Qassam Brigades' leader also addressed the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, calling on them to "organize operations against settlements" and "sweep" the occupation away.
He then urged Palestinians residing in occupied al-Quds, as well as those in the 1948 occupied territories, to join the fight against the Israeli occupation.
Deif called on Palestinians to take up arms using any possible means.
Read more: Side by side: Palestinian Resistance factions announce mobilization