Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah Commends Hamas for Attack on Israel in First Public Statement

Beirut: Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday credited Hamas for the October 7 attack, emphasizing its Palestinian origin and the element of secrecy that contributed to its success. Nasrallah commended the timing and wisdom of Hamas’s decision. Celebrations in Beirut followed his speech.

The speech coincided with increased tensions on the Israel-Hezbollah border and a visit to Israel by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who urged civilian protection. Nasrallah argued that Israel’s goals in its war against Hamas are unachievable and criticized its inability to secure military successes.

Nasrallah attributed the high Palestinian civilian death toll and the conflict to the United States. He praised the Hamas attack from four weeks ago, highlighting its purely Palestinian planning and execution.

There was anticipation that Nasrallah’s speech might signal a regional war, but Hezbollah had so far avoided full-scale engagement. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides and raised concerns about the potential impact of an all-out war.

Israel regards Hezbollah as a significant threat due to its extensive missile arsenal, but a large-scale conflict could have dire consequences for both sides, given Lebanon’s economic challenges.