Nasrallah: US, France affirm south front’s activity until Gaza conflict resolves

In a recent televised address, Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah emphasized that the primary goal of Lebanon’s involvement is to exert pressure on Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza. He made these remarks during a speech honoring Hezbollah’s late military commander, Mustafa Badreddine.

Nasrallah firmly stated that the Lebanese front is unyieldingly linked to the Gaza front and pledged continued support for Gaza, a stance he claimed is recognized and accepted by both American and French officials.

Addressing the issue of Syrian refugees, Nasrallah highlighted that the desire for the refugees’ return is nearly unanimous in Lebanon, with only a few NGOs opposing. He attributed the main resistance to their return to European and American influences.

Turning his focus back to the conflict in Gaza, Nasrallah argued that even if Israeli forces were to enter Rafah, it would not mark the end of the resistance. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that Netanyahu’s intention to enter Rafah was an attempt to shake off the perception of defeat. Nasrallah contended that Israel has failed to meet its objectives in Gaza, a sentiment he claimed is widely mocked within Israel itself, pointing to a general consensus in the country acknowledging this failure.

The Hezbollah leader also took a moment to advise observers to pay close attention to the developments on the battlefield and the rhetoric from Israeli sources to truly understand the situation. He noted that the global narrative is increasingly supportive of Palestinian statehood, and he attributed the widespread international protests to the events of October 7, asserting that Palestine is now a central global issue. Lastly, he criticized American ambitions in Syria, suggesting there had been a desire to bring the country under full American control.