Israeli achievements not marked by intelligence: Al-Moussawi
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The head of Hezbollah's Resources and Borders department reveals to Al Mayadeen what the Resistance group endured during the Israeli war on Lebanon and the role of the United States in it.
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The head of Hezbollah's Resources and Borders department, Nawaf al-Moussawi, speaks with Al Mayadeen, on Monday, March 3, 2025 (Screengrab)
Hezbollah is conducting an internal investigation into all security and military events that took place during "Israel’s" latest war on Lebanon, confirmed the head of Hezbollah's Resources and Borders department, Nawaf al-Moussawi.
In an interview for Al Mayadeen on Monday, al-Moussawi acknowledged that Hezbollah had "suffered heavy blows, but it is not over, nor is the Resistance front."
He asserted that the Resistance inflicted significant losses on the Israeli occupation "at the height of the war" and scored achievements during it.
He cited as an example the Cesarea operation, where a Hezbollah drone reached the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Al-Moussawi indicated that the Hezbollah "is capable of delivering strikes to the Israeli occupation if it compensates for its shortcomings" and addresses both the technical and human breaches, highlighting that "the amount of shortcomings and gaps is significant."
US complicit in Sayyed Nasrallah's assassination
He further pointed out that the United States was directly involved in the aggression against Lebanon, accusing it of playing a role in both the decision and execution of the assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
He went on to note that the type of missiles used to strike the headquarters of martyr Sayyed Nasrallah "were not part of Israel’s arsenal and were brought in specifically for this targeted attack."
Al-Moussawi explained that US intelligence operations against Hezbollah have increased tenfold compared to Israeli efforts since the year 2000, adding that the American intelligence program serves Israeli interests.
Israeli achievements were due to shortcomings
In a related context, the Hezbollah official revealed that Hezbollah's late commander martyr Imad Mughniyeh had booby-trapped pager devices and communication tools, arguing that in light of this, "Israel’s" pager attack last September "can not be considered a major achievement."
He said that following the pager attack, martyr Sayyed Nasrallah "realized that there was an error and a technical breach." As for the human infiltration, al-Moussawi confirmed that Hezbollah's specialized units are still investigating the matter.
"The absence of figures from the historical ranks of the Resistance, such as the martyr Mughniyeh, came at a cost," al-Moussawi acknowledged.
He said that while the Israeli occupation considers it has achieved "successes", all of its so-called achievements against Hezbollah lack intelligence and "are instead the result of our own shortcomings—and at times, negligence."
Al-Moussawi expressed surprise that Sayyed Nasrallah remained at his headquarters in Beirut’s Southern Suburb, stating that he "should not have been in any location that could be identified," especially given that the entire area is under the US-Israeli surveillance.
As for martyr Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, al-Moussawi affirmed that he was also brave, fearless, and courageous, expressing his wish that he had left the Southern Suburb before his assassination.
Regarding Sheikh Naim Qassem, the current Secretary-General of Hezbollah, al-Moussawi indicated that he is undertaking a critical mission, as the Israeli occupation will target him if his location is identified.
Hezbollah's participation in the government was a duty, 'not a choice'
Regarding the Lebanese political situation, the Hezbollah official confirmed that there was "a desire among some regional countries for Hezbollah not to be represented in this government" as part of an attempt to strip it of any form of constitutional or institutional legitimacy.
Therefore, according to al-Moussawi, Hezbollah's decision to participate in the current Lebanese government "was a duty and necessity, not a choice."
He said that President Joseph Aoun "has a well-known viewpoint regarding the issue of weapons in Lebanon and the decision of war and peace," continuing, "Our viewpoint is also well-known."
Al-Moussawi explained that there is a "disagreement between Hezbollah and many domestic parties in Lebanon regarding the prioritization of issues," clarifying that the party's top priority is the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the Israeli occupation during its aggression on Lebanon.
In this context, al-Mousawi emphasized that Hezbollah "cannot accept the prevention of reconstruction" and that "it will not spare any means to achieve it."
He also confirmed that "subjecting reconstruction to any condition is impossible, and we will not pay any political price for this matter."
Lebanon must defend its sovereignty
Speaking further on priorities, al-Mousawi addressed the issue of the exclusivity of weapons in Lebanon, urging those in decision-making positions to prove the validity of their arguments and end the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory so that demanding Hezbollah to hand over its weapons could be feasible.
Regarding the continued Israeli presence in parts of southern Lebanon, the Hezbollah official clarified that what remains occupied is not five points or positions, but rather a "security belt" and a buffer zone established by the Israeli military.
He continued, "The opportunity is now open for the state to prove that it is capable of liberation."
"However, if the authorities are unable to carry out this task, Lebanon must defend its sovereignty," including through its people and the Resistance factions, al-Moussawi emphasized, adding that after liberation, the priority is to defend Lebanon, according to al-Moussawi.
He also explained that part of Hezbollah's agenda is to rebuild itself, pointing out that "the use of weapons to confront the occupation and liberate the land is a matter left to the time the Resistance sees fit."
Regarding Syria, al-Moussawi said that Hezbollah "stands for the unity of Syrian territory," emphasizing the need to "work with Damascus and rise above differences in order to prevent any division."
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