Hezbollah Leader Threatens Cyprus Following Tensions with Israel; Concerns Over Escalation Grow
Image Credits: The Australian
On Wednesday, the head of Iran-backed Hezbollah based in Lebanon said that nowhere in Israel would be a “safe zone” if a wider war breaks out between the two rival nations with escalating political tensions. The leader of the group, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, also threatened EU member Cyprus for the first time, along with other parts of the Mediterranean. Alongside the war in Gaza, Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel for over eight months. Cyprus has held joint military exercises with Israel since 2014 and has carried out one as recently as last year.
On Tuesday, the group published what it claimed was drone footage of sensitive military sites found deep within Israeli military territory. The 9-minute and 31-second video showed footage of several locations in Israel, including sea and airports of Haifa, a city 27 km from the Israel-Lebanese border. The video raised fears among citizens of the area, with Haifa mayor Yona Yahav claiming that it was “psychological terror” on residents of the North.
The Hezbollah Chief said in a televised address on Wednesday that “there will be no place safe from our missiles and our drones” in the event of a full-fledged war. He also added that the group had a “bank of targets” that it could target in precision strikes. There has been a continued escalation in tension between Israel and Hezbollah, and they have been engaged in fighting along the border since Oct. 7. Nasrallah also said in his address that Israel “knows that what also awaits it in the Mediterranean is very big… In the face of a battle of this magnitude, it knows that it must now wait for us on land, in the air, and at sea.”
The bridge between the two rival groups has widened as the intensity of fighting has increased in recent weeks, sparking fears of a fully blown-out war. On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Kantz warned that a decision on an all-out war with Hezbollah was coming soon, with the military claiming that all operational plans for a military offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated.
Moreover, the group also threatened EU member Cyprus, which is in closest proximity to Lebanon. The threat comes from accusations by the group regarding the Cypriot government’s allowance of Israel to use its airports and bases for military exercises. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, however, denies any allegations of support toward either side. He says, “It (Cyprus) is not part of the problem, it is part of the solution,” in reference to shipments of aid from Cyprus to Gaza, a humanitarian act that he claims was recognized by both the Arab World and the international community. Although Cyprus has been known to have allowed Israel to use its vast airspace to conduct occasional air drills in the past, it had never done so during times of conflict.
In the event of a broader war, the Iran-backed group would fight with “no rules” and “no ceilings,” in accordance with statements made by Nasrallah. The statements were made in an address given at a memorial event for a senior commander killed in an Israeli airstrike last week, following which Hezbollah released its largest volleys of drones and rockets at Israel in retaliation. As international concerns arise over the severity of the current state of the conflict, US Envoy Amos Hochstein attempted to urge both sides not to move into a full-scale war.
Team Profile
- News Writer
- Senaara Sonu is a creative and dynamic individual with a fervent passion for journalism, content creation, and marketing. Currently pursuing a major in these fields, Senaara is dedicated to honing her skills and expanding her knowledge base. Always striving for continuous improvement and excellence, she is committed to producing high-quality work and achieving outstanding results. With a proactive attitude and a keen eye for detail, Senaara is poised to make a significant impact in the world of media and communications.
Latest entries
English9 July 2024Joe Biden Hosts 75th NATO Summit, Seeks to Prove His Presidential Prowess
English8 July 2024French Leftist Alliance Projected to Win Elections in a Blow to Far-Right Party
English7 July 2024Hamas Eases Ceasefire Terms, Israel Considers Proposal
English5 July 2024Rishi Sunak Projected to Lose Parliamentary Election, Concedes Defeat
