The head of the Hezbollah parliamentary group, Mohammad Raad. (Archive photo/provided by Hezbollah)
BEIRUT — Hezbollah's parliamentary wing declared on Thursday that it has adopted "appropriate deterrent measures" in an announcement that follows an earlier one declaring it has "intensified its qualitative operations" against Israel, amid ongoing cross-border fighting.
In a statement issued at the end of its regular meeting, led by MP Mohammed Raad, the parliamentary group observed that the escalation of tensions between Israel and the "Islamic Resistance" at the border is "the result of the enemy's insistence on dictating new ground realities to impose its conditions on Lebanon in a way that violates its sovereignty and the security of its people." But in the face of "the enemy, the Resistance adopts appropriate deterrent measures," Raad said.
Sheikh Nabil Kaouk, a member of the party's executive council, highlighted on Wednesday that "the Resistance has ramped up its qualitative operations in response to the Israeli escalation ... It is prepared for all eventualities of war and escalation." A qualitative operation, in military terms, signifies an improvement in the operation's quality through enhanced tactics and equipment or better training exercises.
The statement reiterated "the legitimate right of the Islamic Resistance to defend its country and its people."
"Those who wish not to widen the scope of tensions must understand that Zionist [Israeli] aggression supported by Western countries is the cause of tensions in Gaza and Lebanon."
Regarding Gaza, Hezbollah emphasized the importance of considering Hamas' stance while state representatives work towards putting together a draft cease-fire agreement in France. According to the party statement, the future of Gaza, following current diplomatic attempts toward a cease-fire, will set the tone for the coming period.
"Whatever the content and outcome of this project, the objective to be achieved, in our opinion, is to put an end to the aggression, lift the siege, exchange prisoners and detainees, ensure the reconstruction of Gaza and approve a formula for the administration" of the enclave, the statement reads.
A Hamas source told AFP that the group is evaluating a truce proposal with Israel in Gaza, consisting of a three-phase plan, including a ceasefire of several weeks, developed by mediators during a recent meeting in Paris. Hamas is demanding a total cease-fire as a precursor to any agreement, which would also address the release of Israeli hostages.
