Hizbullah-affiliated Lebanese academic Sadek Al-Naboulsi said in a February 22, 2023 show on Al-Jadded TV (Lebanon) that "striking with iron and fire" is the only way to "deter" Israel, the U.S., and their "minions" and that Hizbullah is ready to wage war if the U.S. continues its "exaggerated measures" which are impoverishing the Lebanese people. He said that Hizbullah must "use fire" against those who "believe that a happy and comfortable life is limited to nations that normalize their relations with Israel."
Interviewer: "Where are we heading? To a war?
Sadek Al-Naboulsi: "War is one of the main possibilities. It hasn't gone away. Especially, in the days of the border demarcation, Sayyed [Nasrallah] upped the ante and said we were ready to wage a war, from which we would emerge victorious, inshallah.
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"There is no doubt that Sayyed [Nasrallah] cautioned and sent a message that if they continued on this path and used these exaggerated measures which lead to the impoverishment of our people, w would turn to other options. These options are available to us."
Interviewer: "So you are saying that the Americans have left us no alternative other than fire."
Al-Nablousi: "Therefore, we must use fire, we must use this big stick in the face of those who believe that happy and comfortable life is limited to nations that normalize their relations with Israel.
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"Hizbullah cannot watch from the sidelines as this country is being put to death. It must take the initiative. In the past, Hizbullah initiated a military action against the Israeli enemy, and then against the takfiris. Hizbullah does not lack the capability to declare war today.
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"We must take the initiative to twist the arm of the Israelis, because the Americans will not call off their war and sanctions against our people and our country, if we do nothing.
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"The Americans will not pull back and will continue their aggression, unless we strike at them. Only striking with iron and fire will deter the Israelis, the Americans, and their minions."