Hezbollah Vows to Retaliate against Israeli Attacks on Civilians
Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, has issued a stern warning to Israel, promising to respond “double” to any aggression targeting civilians. This declaration comes in the wake of a recent attack that claimed the lives of three children and their grandmother in southern Lebanon.
The statement reflects the precarious situation prevailing along the Israeli-Lebanese border, as deadly clashes ensue between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters, who are backed by Iran. These clashes have intensified fears of a larger regional conflict, particularly as Israel continues its invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Ali Fayyad, a Hezbollah lawmaker, made the remarks during the funeral of the four Lebanese individuals killed in the southern region on Sunday. He asserted, “The resistance will respond double to any aggression that targets civilians.” Fayyad further emphasized that Hezbollah has not yet demonstrated the full extent of its power, without providing further details.
According to Lebanese authorities, the Israeli strike hit the car carrying the family. However, Israel’s military claimed that its troops engaged a vehicle in Lebanon suspected of transporting terrorists and is currently investigating reports of civilians being present.
During the funeral, grieving family members mourned over four coffins adorned with the flags of Lebanon and a local scouts organization. A banner paying tribute to the three girls, aged between 10 and 14, described them as martyrs and prominently featured Hezbollah’s emblem.
The violence at the Lebanese-Israeli frontier is the deadliest since 2006, occurring alongside Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Hamas, a Palestinian ally of Hezbollah, in Gaza. Israel’s military actions in response to an October 7 Hamas attack on Israeli towns have reportedly claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis, according to Israeli figures. Meanwhile, health officials in Gaza claim that Israel’s bombardment has resulted in the deaths of 10,000 Palestinians.
In response to a significant barrage of rockets fired at northern Israeli cities, Israel announced on Monday that it had targeted Hezbollah sites. The violence along the Lebanese border has reportedly led to the deaths of over 60 Hezbollah fighters and 10 civilians, according to Lebanese security officials. Additionally, seven Israeli soldiers and one civilian have been killed.
As tensions continue to escalate, the situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for a broader conflict looming overhead.
(Reporting by Laila Bassam, writing by John Davison and Angus MacSwan)
