The Hezbollah had long announced it: With more than 300 drones and rockets, the militia retaliated against Israel. Leader Nasrallah appeared satisfied – however, it seems an escalation was to be avoided.
The attack went according to plan, and it was a great success – that was the core message from Hassan Nasrallah. In epic detail, the Hezbollah leader described the attack by the Shiite militia against Israel in an evening recorded speech.
He also explained why the militia had taken weeks to retaliate for the killing of a high-ranking commander. According to him, the attacks targeted Israeli soldiers and military facilities. Specifically, those involved in the planning and execution of the attack on his close associate Fouad Shukr at the end of July.
Thus, the attack was limited to the previous areas and targets of Hezbollah in Israel. With this, Nasrallah indirectly confirmed that a real escalation was consciously avoided.
Nasrallah Accuses Israel of Lies
A large part of his speech was spent by the Hezbollah leader refuting statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming that the Israeli army had intercepted thousands of Hezbollah rockets and destroyed thousands of rocket launchers.
All lies, according to Nasrallah. The Zionist entity – Hezbollah’s code for Israel – is now in shock and lacks the courage to retaliate. If the damage was not significant enough, the Hezbollah will strike again in due time, assured the militia leader.
A Reaction – but No Escalation?
Yet, between the lines, it was evident that this chapter of the conflict with Israel is closed for Nasrallah. “The statement was primarily to assure Hezbollah’s allies that the militia had responded, that it had disproved those who doubted its resolve,” said Haneen Raddar, a Middle East expert at the Washington Institute. “But it is also a message to the Israelis: We are done, and we do not want to continue.”
Samir Gatta, head of the Middle East Center for Strategic Studies in Cairo, even draws an analogy to Hezbollah’s ally Iran. “In April, Iran delivered a similar speech with almost the same details and excuses when officers and advisors were killed at the Iranian consulate in Syria.” At that time, Iran had fired significantly more rockets and drones at Israel. “But not a single Israeli was scratched, and there were no military losses either. Nasrallah is just defending himself.”
It fits that Nasrallah reiterated that Hezbollah would continue the border war that it began in solidarity with the terrorist organization following Hamas’s attack in October. With the justification: Hezbollah would not abandon Gaza.
Stalling in Mediation Efforts
Meanwhile, the mediators – the USA, Qatar, and Egypt – apparently failed to advance negotiations in Cairo regarding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Reports suggest that there are still issues regarding how long Israeli troops can remain stationed at the border between Gaza and Egypt. Israel wants to prevent arms smuggling there. On the other hand, Hamas demands Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Whether, when, and where the talks are to be continued remains unclear.
Sabina Matthay, ARD Cairo, tagesschau, 25.08.2024 21:24 Uhr