Hezbollah in Lebanon: If Israel initiates another war, it will respond with force

Hezbollah leader Qasim of Lebanon has warned that if Israel launches a new round of war against Lebanon, Hezbollah will respond with force to safeguard national security.

Xinhua News Agency reported that Qasim said at a memorial event held in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on Tuesday (August 5) : "If Israel launches a new round of war against Lebanon, (Hezbollah's) rockets will land in Israel." We have the ability to confront and defeat Israel.

Qasim reaffirmed his refusal to disarm Hezbollah, urged the Lebanese government to incorporate the "Resistance Forces" into the national defense plan to enhance national sovereignty, and warned that any escalation from Israel would face widespread counterattacks.

According to the Lebanese National News Agency, on July 31, Lebanese President Aoun called for promoting the "exclusive control rights" of the military and security forces over weapons throughout the country, disarming all armed groups including Hezbollah, and transferring weapons to the Lebanese army. Qasim said on July 30 that Hezbollah's armed forces "exist to resist Israel and will not be used for domestic affairs."

Since the new round of conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, Hezbollah in Lebanon has from time to time attacked northern Israel to support Hamas, which is fighting against the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army retaliated by conducting air strikes and shelling targets in southern Lebanon. In November 2024, Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement. Since then, the Israeli army has continued to frequently carry out air strikes on southern Lebanon and even the capital Beirut.