In a combative speech in Beirut, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem warned against further escalation with Israel. In view of the increasing number of Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon, he declared that the current situation “cannot go on like this”. Israel wanted to destroy the movement, said Qassem, and announced that they would defend themselves “by all means”.

“Our weapons are the guarantor of our existence,” Qassem shouted in front of his supporters. “We will not give them up, no matter what pressure is exerted on us. Any price is less than the price of surrender.”

The Hezbollah leader accused Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty with its attacks and driving the region into a new war. At the same time, he attacked the Lebanese government for following “American instructions” instead of protecting the population.

The background to the tensions is Israel’s demand that the Lebanese army take tougher action to disarm Hezbollah. According to a Reuters report, Jerusalem is even demanding house searches in southern Lebanon – an approach that the army has so far rejected in order to avoid provoking internal conflicts.

While Israel intensified its attacks, Qassem stressed that his organization would “continue to fight to defend the country and its honour”. Israeli security circles fear that any further attack or retaliatory action by Hezbollah could trigger a new military conflict.