The deputy leader of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, has issued a stark warning amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon, suggesting that the militant group is prepared for further confrontation if necessary. The remarks come as cross-border exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces intensify, stoking fears of a wider regional conflict.
Hezbollah's Defiant Stance
Speaking in Beirut, Qassem asserted that Hezbollah remains undeterred by Israeli threats, stating that the group's actions are calculated and strategic. "We are not afraid of war, but we are also not rushing into it," he said, emphasising that Hezbollah's response would be proportionate to any Israeli aggression.
Rising Tensions on the Border
The recent surge in hostilities follows months of sporadic clashes along the Lebanon-Israel frontier. Analysts warn that the situation is increasingly volatile, with both sides engaging in tit-for-tat strikes that risk spiralling out of control. The conflict has already displaced thousands of civilians on both sides of the border.
International Concerns Grow
The international community has expressed growing alarm over the potential for a full-scale war. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation have so far yielded little progress, with both Hezbollah and Israel appearing entrenched in their positions.
As tensions mount, observers fear that any miscalculation could trigger a devastating conflict with far-reaching consequences for the already unstable Middle East region.
