The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has issued a stark warning to Israel, threatening an unrestricted war if the ongoing hostilities between the two sides escalate further. In a fiery speech, Nasrallah declared that his militant group would fight "without rules" should Israel expand its military operations in Lebanon.
Nasrallah's Warning
Nasrallah's remarks came during a televised address, where he accused Israel of violating the "rules of engagement" in the conflict. Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group backed by Iran, has been engaged in near-daily cross-border clashes with Israeli forces since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October.
"If Israel decides to wage war on Lebanon, we will fight without any limits or rules," Nasrallah said, signalling a potential shift from the group's current strategy of calibrated strikes.
Regional Tensions Rise
The warning comes amid heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. Israel has repeatedly warned of military action to push Hezbollah away from its northern border, while the militant group has vowed to retaliate fiercely against any large-scale Israeli offensive.
Analysts suggest that Nasrallah's rhetoric reflects growing pressure within Hezbollah to respond more forcefully to Israeli airstrikes that have killed several of its senior commanders in recent weeks.
Impact on Lebanon
The escalating tensions have raised concerns about Lebanon's fragile stability. The country, already grappling with a severe economic crisis, could face devastating consequences if the conflict intensifies. Thousands of civilians have already fled border areas amid the exchanges of fire.
International mediators continue efforts to prevent a full-scale war, but with both sides hardening their positions, the risk of miscalculation remains high.
