Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s recent speech had the entire Middle East on edge, as people anxiously awaited his next move in the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, to everyone’s relief, Nasrallah announced that Hezbollah had no involvement in the October 7 attacks on Israel, emphasizing that it was a “100 per cent Palestinian” operation carried out in secret. This statement was a strategic move to distance himself and Hezbollah from any blame or potential retaliation.
Nasrallah was well aware that the Arab street was closely following his words, as he aimed to show support for the Palestinian cause while avoiding the destructive consequences Hamas has faced in Gaza. He cleverly claimed that his fighters had been involved in the conflict since day two, though both sides have thus far refrained from escalating the situation into a full-scale war. Nasrallah also made sure to reassure his colleagues in Iran’s “axis of resistance” that Hezbollah’s intervention was unnecessary, stating that Israel was already facing a war it could not win.
This speech reaffirmed the widely-held belief that Hezbollah is Iran’s most valuable asset in the region, serving as its “nuclear option” and providing geopolitical leverage and military deterrence against Israel. Iran aims to maintain this proxy in order to safeguard its interests and maintain its influence.
While many breathed a sigh of relief at Nasrallah’s statement, concerns remain as he indicated that attacks against US assets in Syria and elsewhere would continue. This indirect pressure on Israel is meant to facilitate a ceasefire that could help Hamas survive as an Iranian proxy in Gaza.
However, Israel promptly responded to Nasrallah’s speech, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that a “temporary truce” would only be considered if all hostages were released. This indicates that Israel is prepared to stand firm and not easily succumb to pressure.
Overall, Nasrallah’s speech had significant implications for the region, and although it brought temporary relief, tensions and uncertainties still remain.
