Hezbollah deputy leader sheikh Naim Kassem. (Credit: AFP/FIle photo)
BEIRUT — Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem, during a memorial event for the party Sunday, stated that Israel claims "to have options and plans to return settlers" to northern Israel, but is running out of options and has "to confront the resilience of the resistance against aggression."
"Israel presents various propositions regarding northern Palestine and southern Lebanon, attempting to demonstrate it holds options to facilitate settlers' return to the north safely and to distance Hezbollah and the resistance from the south for reassurance in the midst of this struggle. We say to them that Israel isn't in a position to impose its choices but rather to confront the resilience of the resistance against aggression, refuse the consolidation of the Israeli project, and prevent Israel from achieving its objectives in Gaza, Lebanon, and the region," Qassem said.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting, "We are working to restore security in the north and return the residents to their homes. This currently necessitates the continuation of the fighting there. If we don't achieve it politically, we will achieve it militarily."
According to Haaretz, Israel’s northern border communities have been emptying since Oct.8, when clashes erupted between Hezbollah and Israel.
The Israeli Defense Ministry also ordered the mandatory evacuation of more than 40 communities there in October and the Israeli army has imposed a no-go Zone within 2km of the border with Lebanon.
'Sacrifices by Hezbollah are significant yet necessary'
Qassem said, however, that "Israel cannot relocate settlers to the north amidst this battle and cannot gain any advantage in this fight or its aftermath. It must first halt the Gaza war to cease hostilities in Lebanon. Persisting in bombing civilians in Lebanon means the response will be stronger and proportionate to Israeli aggression."
"We have decided to be in a state of war and confrontation on the southern front against Israel, but proportionate to the requirements of the battle. If Israel persists, the response will be stronger. Israel's threats hold no value for us."
The party's deputy leader said Hezbollah recognizes that the "sacrifices" its fighters make are significant, "yet they are necessary and essential to defy a perilous project over Palestine and the region."
Since Oct.8, Hezbollah has lost 134 fighters, explaining in their statements that they were "martyred on the path to Jerusalem," without providing further information.
"Al-Aqsa flood will establish a new phase in our region. We'll witness a newer generation more resolute in resistance than the current one," Qassem said, concluding his speech.