On Monday, August 14, 2023, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech to mark 17 years since the “victory” in the Second Lebanon War (also known as the “Tamuz War,” July-August 2006), and threatened Israeli leaders, saying that they too will return to the stone age if they go to war against Lebanon (in response to remarks by the Israeli Defense Minister).
Nasrallah began his speech by saying that “victory” in July 2006 was “historic” and that it shaped the future, adding that “the big scene, on this day in 2006, was the courageous and rapid recovery of the Lebanese people, who proved the military victory.”
Nasrallah added that the convoys of cars of Lebanese civilians returning to their homes after the war signified “in all ways our people’s firm stance on the situation, adherence to the land, and a firm commitment to choosing the resistance, no matter how big the sacrifices.”
Nasrallah emphasized that “without the results of the war in July 2006, victories would not be achieved later,” noting that “Lebanon is facing a new phase today, which is one of the results of these victories.”
He argued, in this context, that “the process of marking the maritime boundaries and the beginning of exploration (for gas) would not have been possible without the results of the July 2006 War.”
Nasrallah emphasized that the real guarantee for maintaining Lebanon’s rights and wealth in natural gas is “Lebanon’s possession of all components of power, led by the resistance.” He added that “what prevents the enemy from violating Lebanon’s rights is its understanding that any attempt will be met with a sharp response, which will cause regret,” noting that the resistance made the Israeli home front part of the war – after it wasn’t a part of it prior 2006.”
“After 2006, the Zionists added a fourth component to the concept of security – defense – so they had to look for missile interception systems, and put in a lot of effort and money. “
“Since 2006, the enemy has been maneuvering in the home front to verify its readiness, while all reports saying it is not ready,” he said. “The most important thing regarding the home front is the unwillingness of the settlers occupiers of the land to sacrifice and bear the results,” Nasrallah claimed, emphasizing that “after 17 years of maneuvering, equipment, and development, The Israelis failed to rehabilitate their military’s image.”
According to Nasrallah, “the enemy has moved from a position of attack – from an initiator’s state – to a defensive position, while the IDF is in the worst ever state.”
“The IDF suffers from a weak fighting spirit, distrust between elements, commanders and political echelons, low mobilization rates for the combat units and lack of ground achievements,” he said, claiming “the failed attempt to storm Gaza is evidence of this.”
In response to Israel’s threats to destroy Lebanon and return to the stone age in the event of war, Nasrallah threatened Israeli leaders by saying: “If you Go to war with Lebanon, you are the ones who will return to the stone age.”
“The axis of resistance has taken the initiative and made a big bet, and Israel is currently hiding behind walls,” Nasrallah said, adding that “the enemy can calculate the exact number of missiles needed for resistance to damage its basic infrastructure.”
Nasrallah emphasized that a military campaign against the Axis of resistance would not leave Israel standing, claiming that “the path of the Axis of resistance Is an escalation path.”
“The July 2006 war… began following Operation ‘Honest Promise,’ in which Hezbollah managed to capture two Israeli soldiers, in a quality operation on the Lebanese border with occupied Palestine on July 12,2006… Through the war [that followed], Israel sought to destroy Hezbollah’s power and conquer large parts of Lebanon, but failed to do so, following the success of the resistance in Lebanon in inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking forces as well as the inner front.”
“The war ended after 33 days of fighting, without the Israeli forces being able to conquer Lebanon, and having suffered high-quality blows on land, at sea and in the air, and through rocket barrages that caused the deaths and injuries of dozens of settlers in southern Haifa.
The occupation army also suffered about 150 fatalities, most of them elite forces, in addition to hundreds of wounded, and heavy losses in tanks and in military equipment.”
The events in Kahale
Addressing the recent incident in Kahala (August 9), Nasrallah explained that it was a “natural accident, in which Hezbollah’s truck overturned due to a technical malfunction, as trucks pass there and accidents occur. The event was normal until a TV channel known as MTV incited people by saying the truck was carrying weapons.”
According to Nasrallah, “The truck held out for more than three hours, during which time the guys (Hezbollah operatives) took its driver to the hospital, called in a crane to transport it and worked to understand the situation from the beginning”… “Some people presented the issue as if Hezbollah was the one who attacked the people of Kahale, but for 3 hours the guys handled the truck accident, and nothing happened until after this channel initiated things,” he said. “It bears the possible consequences of what happens in the entire country, bloodshed and incitement to murder is first and foremost the agenda of this malicious channel…”
Nasrallah added that “the number of people who were at the incident scene is well known, and some came from outside Kahale, so the problem is with them and not with Kahale people.”
Nasrallah emphasized that this incident today is in the hands of the court, “which needs to address the issue of media incitement.”
“The martyr Ahmed Qassas was killed while defending the resistance,” he said, comforting the killed man’s family.
Hezbollah’s secretary-general noted that “responsible statements, especially from within the Christian community, have called for calm, including President Michelle Aoun’s position,” adding that “there are political forces that have defended the resistance.”
Nasrallah emphasized that “the incident in Kahale has shown that the military institution “is the guarantee of security, peace, and stability in the country.”
On the other hand, “There are political leaders, regardless of their background, whose behavior and statements, along with certain media outlets, are clearly pushing the country toward an explosion and civil war,” he said.
“They enlist and incite in more than one arena, but then who controls the situation? Is it first and foremost in the interest of Christians to go to civil war”?
He noted that “there is another possibility, an intention to convince Lebanese public opinion that the solution in Lebanon is a divide between religions and denominations, but that will not happen.” Nasrallah stressed that “schism is not in the interest of any sect,” while calling for calm within Lebanon.
In this regard, Nasrallah emphasized that “everyone loses out in a civil war. Even the strong lose because everyone is hurt. There are many states and parties that will work to support this [future civil] war, including Israel.”
He added that “this country has no choice but to cooperate and go forward with all of its sons together, albeit slowly, which is better than any other option,” and said that the public should “calm down and handle Kahale’s event wisely,” while promoting dialogue with the Free Patriotic Movement headed by Jabran Bassil.
Nasrallah said, “The dialogue with the Free Patriotic Movement is serious and positive, and needs some time because it involves consultations with some political forces.” He said that “there are political forces that do not want any dialogue between the Lebanese, but want to be entrenched, prepared and enlisted.”
Finally, Nasrallah referred to the story of young Ali Hassan Sharf a-Din, who was killed in a car accident, and whose family donated his organs, praising the act by the family, and saying: “It is the culture of life and sacrifice and we are proud of these people and thank them.”
Nasrallah expressed condolences following casualties in attacks in Pakistan, the Syrian desert, and Shiraz, claiming that “there is an American decision to bring back ISIS activity in several arenas, it seems.”