The militias of Hezbollah denounced a wave of Israeli attacks that left in the last hours at least 11 people dead and 19 injured in southern Lebanon, in the deadliest events recorded in the area during the last two months.
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After the attacks, the group promised a “proportional response” to what it called a “brutal massacre” and demanded that the Lebanese government immediately suspend the talks it is holding with Israel to define the security status in the area.
“The Lebanese have woken up to the sound of an aggressive escalation and a brutal massacre,” Hezbollah said referring to the Israeli attacks in Ansar and Deir Zahrani, calling them “a heinous crime added to the enemy’s record.”
The militias held Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, responsible for the intensification of the attacks and accused the leader of seeking “to strengthen his internal political position” and “curry favor with the far right” ahead of the October elections.
In its statements, Hezbollah maintained that the Lebanese government should “reconsider its calculations” regarding the talks with Israel, arguing that the negotiations are failing and that, according to the group, they are only demonstrating “their inability to protect Lebanon and its people.”
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The militias asked the Lebanese authorities to “stop pursuing negotiations with Israel” which, they claimed, are being “dragged” into by the United States, and to adopt a “national, brave, and responsible stance”.
Hezbollah also questioned the United States ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, who defended this Friday the policy of systematic demolitions that Israel is carrying out in areas of southern Lebanon under its control. According to the diplomat, that destruction would end if Hezbollah surrenders its weapons.
The group responded that the ambassador’s statement constitutes “blackmail” and argued that, instead, the United States should first demand the Israeli withdrawal from the area.
“They only confirm that what the Americans seek is the interest and security of the Israeli enemy at the expense of Lebanon’s sovereignty and its people,” Hezbollah said regarding the comments of the American diplomat.
