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Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah spoke in a September 19, 2024, address about the pager blasts that rocked the party's personnel across Lebanon.[1] Nasrallah said that the party's "first response" to Israel's "despicable crime" was to continue to assist Gaza, saying that such attacks only make Hizbullah "more resilient." He also declared that he looks forward to any military action in southern Lebanon as a "historic opportunity."
Nasrallah began his address by extending gratitude to those people who expressed willingness to donate blood and organs to treat the wounded. He also thanked countries that expressed willingness to assist, as well as "resistance axis" countries and beyond who condemned Israel's "despicable crime."
This Was A Terrorist Act Tantamount To "A Declaration Of War"
On the explosions, Nasrallah said that the "enemy" did not care about the presence of 4,000 pager holders used by its operatives in civilian areas, stressing that carrying out such attack was a deliberate intent to kill 4,000 people in one minute.
"Over the course of two days and in one minute each day, the enemy wanted to kill 5,000 people in two minutes without caring about anything," he said.
"The Israeli criminal act in Lebanon is a major terrorist operation, an act of genocide, and a massacre tantamount to a declaration of war," he declared.
To Netanyahu And Galant: The Northern Front "Will Not Stop Before The Aggression On Gaza Is Ceased, No Matter The Sacrifices"
Nasrallah continued, addressing Israeli political and military leadership: "In the name of the martyrs, the wounded, and all the perseverant, loyal ones, we say to [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Defense Minister Yoav] Galant, and the enemy: the Lebanese front will not halt action before the aggression on Gaza is ceased, whatever the sacrifices."
He further stressed that no matter how heavy or serious the sacrifices, consequences, possibilities, and "the direction the region is headed" will be, the resistance in Lebanon would not cease its support and assistance to the people of Gaza.
"This is our first response," he notes.
The Attacks Make Hizbullah "Stronger," "More Resilient"
On the potential damage to Hizbullah's structure, Nasrallah said that it has not been shaken, adding: "Our resolve is solid," and the attacks only made Hizbullah "stronger, and more resilient."
In a defiant tone, the Hizbullah leader stated that the group had accepted the challenge since October 8, 2023, and reiterated that it accepts it again today.
He again addressed Netanyahu and his government, saying that Israelis "will not be able to return to the northern area, adding: "Do whatever you wish to."
"If you want the settlers to return, your only way is to stop the aggression on Gaza," he repeated.
The Security Belt Proposal: A Historic Opportunity We Look Forward To
Nasrallah mocked the remarks of Israeli armed forces' commander of the northern region, who suggested the establishment of a security belt, as "foolish."
"We hope that they enter our Lebanese land and what the enemy considers a threat, we consider to be a historic opportunity we look forward to."
"If you want to come to our land, the security belt will turn into a mire, a trap, an ambush, an abyss, and hell for your military," noting that Israel would see hundreds of those who were wounded in the pager blasts of September 17 and 18 "ready to resist and fight you."
Nasrallah threatened an upcoming "day of dire account," saying: "The news is what you see, not what you hear," and concluded: "The enemy's foolish, narcissistic, reckless leadership will lead the entity [Israel] to a deep abyss, towards its third destruction."
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