Hezbollah
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that Lebanon’s Hezbollah remains resolute despite facing substantial losses from ongoing Israeli airstrikes.
His remarks were made during a meeting with military officials in Tehran, where he emphasized Hezbollah’s strength and resilience in the face of mounting challenges from Israel.
Acknowledging the toll the conflict has taken on Hezbollah, Khamenei admitted that the Shia militant group has suffered casualties, including the loss of some of its key members. However, he quickly dispelled the notion that these losses could significantly weaken the organization.
“Some of Hezbollah’s effective and valuable forces were martyred, which undoubtedly caused damage,” he said. “But this was not the sort of damage that could bring the group to its knees.”
Khamenei further asserted, “The organizational strength and human resources of Hezbollah are very strong and will not be critically hit by the killing of a senior commander, even if that is clearly a loss.”
His statement comes amid an intensifying Israeli military campaign targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Over the past three days, Israel has launched a series of airstrikes, marking one of the deadliest escalations in the region since Lebanon’s civil war ended in 1990.
At least 558 people have reportedly been killed in the strikes, which have also displaced tens of thousands of civilians from their homes in the south. The Israeli military has significantly ramped up operations, signaling a period of heightened aggression between the two adversaries.
In addition to airstrikes, Israel has reportedly engaged in cyber warfare against Hezbollah, targeting the group’s electronic infrastructure across Lebanon and Syria.
This cyberattack led to explosions of electronic devices used by Hezbollah, resulting in at least 39 deaths and injuries to nearly 3,000 others.
The incident marked a new phase in the conflict, with analysts suggesting that Israel’s use of cyber tactics reflects the changing dynamics of warfare in the region.
Hezbollah, in retaliation, launched a ballistic missile targeting Israel’s Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv, a bold move that underscored the escalating tensions. The attack is seen as one of Hezbollah’s most aggressive retaliatory measures, showcasing the group’s resolve despite the losses it has sustained.
As the conflict shows no signs of abating, Al Jazeera correspondent Imran Khan reported from Marjayoun in southern Lebanon, stating, “There is no de-escalation. There is no diplomacy. Just Hezbollah and the Israeli army attacking each other.”
This grim assessment highlights the deepening hostility between the two sides, with no immediate prospects for peace.
Khamenei concluded his remarks with a note of defiance, expressing confidence in the eventual victory of the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance movements. “The Palestinian and Lebanese resistance will have the final victory,” he said, reinforcing Iran’s long-standing support for Hezbollah and other groups opposing Israel.
With no clear resolution in sight, both sides appear to be bracing for an intensifying conflict that could have far-reaching consequences for the region.
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