Sheikh Naim Qassem, the Deputy Secretary General of Hezbollah, stated in an interview with NBC that when assessing Iran's response to the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, it is important to understand Iran's goals. He noted that all Iranian officials have stated their intention for their missiles to reach Israeli territory, which they achieved with over 12 ballistic missiles hitting Negev Air Base and another intelligence base in Mount Hermon, with Israel admitting to four hits. He emphasized that Iran had achieved its aim by successfully delivering the missiles.
Qassem remarked, "No Arab country should support Israel at this juncture, regardless of the justifications. Ultimately, it is their people who hold them accountable for such decisions." He highlighted that for Hezbollah, it does not matter whether Arab states participate in supporting Israel; what matters is that the U.S., France, Britain, and Israel collectively attempted to counter Iranian missiles but ultimately failed to prevent them from reaching their target, sending a clear message.
He asserted that Iran does not desire war and has responded to attacks on its embassy, suggesting that should Israel attack Iran directly or targeted Iranian interests in the region, it holds the right to respond vigorously. Qassem reiterated that Iran is prepared to retaliate if Israel initiates further aggression.
He added that Iran does not require anyone's assistance to defend itself, as it has communicated its intent to retaliate against aggressions clearly. He further cautioned that should Israel attack Lebanon, Hezbollah will respond decisively, asserting that they do not want a large-scale war, but will not tolerate any escalation by Israel beyond current confrontations.
Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah is currently engaged in significant military activities while maintaining a position of not seeking a full-scale war unless provoked. He noted that their support for Gaza serves its purpose, having led to the evacuation of over 100,000 Israelis from settlements and substantial material losses on the Israeli side.
He urged the international community to take responsibility for halting the war in Gaza and preventing further Israeli atrocities, emphasizing that solutions to the conflict are linked. The cessation of conflict in Gaza would automatically lead to peace in the south, allowing displaced people to return home.
Qassem characterized American involvement as crucial in maintaining the war's momentum, asserting that the Biden administration must bear responsibility for the ongoing crises in Gaza. He criticized the apparent complicity between Biden and Netanyahu regarding their approaches to violence against Palestinians.
He addressed the ongoing confrontation at the Lebanese-Palestinian border, stating that both parties adhere to established rules of engagement. However, he reaffirmed Hezbollah's commitment to contribute to the Palestinian struggle without escalating into a wider conflict unless Israeli actions force them into such a situation.
Finally, he commended the solidarity shown by the American public in supporting Palestine and urged them to recognize the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while insisting that the Israeli aggression will not go unanswered. He concluded by reiterating Hezbollah's serious commitment to the Palestinian cause and strengthening ties with the Islamic community while underscoring their successes against Israel.
