In a poignant moment for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, an audio recording of its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah was broadcast on Sunday, just over two weeks after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut on September 27. The recording, reportedly made during a military maneuver, calls on Hezbollah fighters to “defend your people, your families, your nation, your values, and your dignity, and to defend this holy and blessed land and this honourable people.” Nasrallah’s message resonates amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions and violence in the region.
In the recording, Nasrallah addresses his followers, urging them to remain steadfast. He can be heard saying, “We count on you to protect your people, your families, your nation, your values, and your dignity. Defend this sacred and blessed land, and its honorable people.”
Recent Developments in the Conflict
The Israeli military reported that as of Sunday afternoon, approximately 115 projectiles launched by Hezbollah had crossed into Israeli territory. This escalation follows a series of incidents that have exacerbated the ongoing conflict. In a notable event, an Israeli military spokesperson announced the capture of a Hezbollah fighter emerging from a tunnel in southern Lebanon, marking the first such capture since the commencement of the ground offensive.
Accusations of Violations by UN Peacekeepers
The situation has drawn the attention of United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL), who accused Israeli troops of violating peace protocols by forcibly entering one of their positions in southern Lebanon. According to UNIFIL, around 4:30 a.m., two Israeli Merkava tanks breached the gate of a peacekeeping post in the Ramia area while the peacekeepers were sheltering. The tanks reportedly left the position 45 minutes later.
Further compounding the issue, Israeli soldiers halted a critical logistical movement for UNIFIL near Mais al-Jabal, denying them passage. In response, UNIFIL has requested an explanation from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) regarding these “shocking violations.”
The Israeli military responded by stating that the tank incident was accidental, claiming it “backed several meters into a UNIFIL post” while trying to evacuate injured soldiers under fire.
Political Reactions and Calls for Action
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the removal of UN peacekeepers from southern Lebanon, arguing that their presence provides cover for Hezbollah militants. In contrast, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned Netanyahu’s remarks, stating they represent a “new chapter in the enemy’s approach of not complying with international norms.”
UNIFIL, comprising approximately 9,500 troops, has been deployed in southern Lebanon under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which stipulates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should operate in the area. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the targeting of UN troops, deeming it “absolutely unacceptable.”
Israeli Airstrikes and the Humanitarian Crisis
On the same day, Israeli warplanes targeted a historic mosque in the village of Kfar Tibnit, which has significant cultural importance to the local community. Mayor Fuad Yassin lamented the loss, emphasizing that the mosque served as a gathering place for families during special occasions.
The backdrop of violence is deeply intertwined with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which erupted following a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, leading to a military campaign that has reportedly claimed 42,227 lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities. The UN has confirmed the reliability of these figures.
In solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah has been engaging in near-daily exchanges of fire with Israeli forces since October last year, intensifying after the conflict escalated in late September. The death toll in Lebanon has surpassed 1,200, with over a million people displaced due to the ongoing violence.
Calls for Ceasefire and International Response
Prime Minister Mikati announced plans to approach the UN Security Council to request a resolution calling for a “full and immediate ceasefire.” As the situation continues to unfold, Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araqchi, stated in a recent visit to Baghdad that Tehran is “fully prepared for a war situation,” although he emphasized that “we do not want war.”
In response to the escalating tensions, the Pentagon confirmed it would deploy a high-altitude anti-missile system along with US military personnel to Israel to bolster defenses against potential Iranian threats. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly around Jabalia, has reached alarming levels, with reports of dire conditions and a lack of basic necessities.
