Hezbollah's Lebanese Secretary-General, Naeem Qassem, confirmed that the response to Israeli aggression was 'chosen by the resistance', emphasizing that the battle the party is fighting is purely defensive for Lebanon and its citizens. He stated that there is no intention to engage in wars on Lebanese soil for the benefit of other parties.
In a statement, Qassem mentioned that 'national unity requires the government to reverse its decision to criminalize the resistance', asserting that any proposal for negotiation with the Israeli enemy while the bombardment continues is 'imposing surrender and stripping Lebanon of all its capabilities'. He stressed that negotiations are rejected with an enemy that occupies land and daily assaults Lebanon.
Details of the Incident
For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized the necessity for Lebanon not to remain 'a battleground for others' wars', referring to the recent escalation on the southern border.
In the context of military operations, the Israeli newspaper 'Israel Hayom' reported that the Israeli army confirmed Hezbollah's attempt to shoot down an Israeli combat helicopter over Lebanese airspace, but it was unsuccessful.
Background & Context
The party clarified that it targeted the 'Meron' base for surveillance and aerial operations with a drone in northern occupied Palestine, as well as targeting an Israeli Hummer vehicle in the town of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah also indicated that it targeted an Israeli force for the second time in the town of Al-Taybeh in southern Lebanon, achieving casualties, in addition to shelling gatherings of Israeli enemy soldiers between the towns of Beit Leif and Al-Qouzah, and in the towns of Dibl and Al-Qouzah for the seventh time, as well as in the town of Alma al-Shab in southern Lebanon.
Impact & Consequences
In light of these developments, the Israeli army announced that an officer was injured during a clash with a Hezbollah cell in southern Lebanon.
Regional Significance
Qassem added that the 'response to Israeli aggression' comes in defense of Lebanon and its citizens, and that the 'resistance' is the one that chose the timing of the response.
He pointed out that 'national unity' necessitates that the government reverses its decision to criminalize the resistance, asserting that any proposal for negotiation with the Israeli enemy while the bombardment continues is 'imposing surrender and stripping Lebanon of all its capabilities', reiterating that negotiations are rejected with an enemy that occupies land and daily assaults Lebanon.
He added that 'Lebanon must not remain a battleground for others' wars', referring to the recent escalation on the southern border.
Conclusion
The Israeli army announced that an officer was injured during a clash with a Hezbollah cell in southern Lebanon.