During a eulogy-cum-political speech, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah claimed that Israel is overly reliant on its allies for relevance, all while the Israeli military prepares to counter any anticipated retaliation from the terrorist organization.
“Israel, anxious about responses from Iran or Hezbollah, turns to the United States and Western nations, indicating a decline in its deterrent capability as well as its ability to defend itself,” Nasrallah stated on Tuesday at the funeral for the recently deceased commander Fuad Shukr.
“The threat from Israel cannot be addressed by burying your head in the sand and avoiding confrontation, as the enemy engages in battle with no boundaries,” he remarked, as reported by the Lebanese outlet L’Orient Le Jour. “What is essential is to confront, not to hesitate or submit.”
Shukr’s funeral occurred just a week after his death in an Israeli airstrike aimed at eliminating the individual responsible for a prior strike that claimed the lives of several children in the Golan Heights. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) aircraft flew over Beirut shortly before Nasrallah’s address, which he used to underscore what he perceived as Israel’s “petty” nature.
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Hezbollah supporters watch Hassan Nasrallah’s speech on a screen during a ceremony commemorating the death of a senior commander killed by an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, in Dahiyeh, southern Beirut, on June 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Nasrallah further called for “patience” as Hezbollah and Iran devised their responses to Israel while also encouraging other Arab nations to join in their struggle against Israel.
“We are in a conflict with a defined conclusion. We urge our allies in Gaza and the West Bank to maintain patience and strength,” Nasrallah said. “We ask the supportive factions in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen to keep backing Gaza despite the sacrifices. We call on Arab nations to recognize the looming threat to the region.”
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A funeral ceremony for Yasir Nemir Karnish, former bodyguard of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in border clashes on July 10, 2024, attended by Karnish’s family and Hezbollah sympathizers. (Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Israel has emphasized its readiness for any potential repercussions from Shukr’s death or the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, for which Iran holds Israel accountable.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli security authorities advised residents living within 10 miles of the Lebanese border to stay in protected areas due to anticipated attacks from Hezbollah, according to Israeli news agency TPS-IL.
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Hezbollah fighters and mourners at the funeral of slain commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut’s southern suburbs on August 1, 2024. Shukr’s body was recovered from the scene of a July 30 Israeli strike that also killed five civilians and raised concerns of a broader regional conflict. (Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images)
In the aftermath of Nasrallah’s address, the IDF published a video on X, titled “Eliminating the Threat of Hezbollah, One by One. This is how the IDF neutralizes Hezbollah’s most dangerous commanders to safeguard civilians.” The video showcases various senior Hezbollah figures that were taken out by Israeli forces.
“The IDF remains resolute, steadfast, and formidable,” stated Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on social media following Nasrallah’s remarks. “We are prepared for both defense and offense.”
During an on-camera dialogue with combat pilots and Israeli Air Force members, Gallant mentioned that he coordinated efforts with U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Mike Kurilla and U.S. Secretary of Defense Gen. Lloyd Austin, affirming that the U.S. is committed to “support us and collaborate — the partnership between Israel and the U.S. is crucial for our preparedness.”
“I reflect on your achievements this past July — an outstanding and successful operation in the port of Houdeidah, and the elimination of Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, alongside Khan Younis Brigade Commander Rafa Salama,” Gallant informed the troops.
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“After they killed 12 of our children in Majdal Shams, you took out Muhsan — Hezbollah’s military commander and Nasrallah’s top aide,” Gallant noted. “You achieved this with precise intelligence and robust capabilities.”
“The values that guide us — courage, determination, and perseverance,” Gallant concluded.
