Hezbollah ready to respond to any ‘imposed’ conflict: Deputy chief.
Intensifying tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border remain a concern as hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel continue unabated for over eight months now. In a statement to Al Jazeera, Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem clarified the Iran-backed group was not seeking to escalate the war but would fight if the conflict is brought upon it.
This follows Hezbollah’s announcement of launching attack drones for a second consecutive day at an Israeli military barrack in response to a deadly strike on Lebanon.
The violence, which has ebbed and flowed for months, escalated further in recent days. Tens of thousands from both sides have been displaced from their homes in the renewed heaviest clashes since the 2006 war.
With the exchanges of fire in parallel to Gaza tensions raising fear of broader conflict, the Hezbollah leader’s remarks reiterate the party was not instigating hostilities. However, it also warned of retaliation to any ‘imposed’ warfare, underscoring the hair-trigger situation along the volatile border.
As the cross-border shelling intensifies amid diplomatic efforts, de-escalation remains crucial to prevent the spiraling of violence in the sensitive region.
