Hezbollah Threatens New Strikes Amid Rising Civilian Casualties

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel of retaliatory attacks if it continues targeting Lebanese civilians. This came after a surge in civilian casualties. Israel stated its focus is on Hezbollah militants, not civilians. Both sides have been exchanging fire since early October amid growing fears of a wider conflict.

Hezbollah's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah issued a stern warning to Israel on Wednesday, threatening new attacks if Israel persists in targeting civilians in Lebanon. Nasrallah's comments followed a surge in the number of non-combatants killed in recent days.

On Tuesday, Israeli strikes in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including three children, all of whom were Syrian nationals, according to state media and security sources. The day before, at least three Lebanese civilians were killed in similar attacks. Israel maintains that it targets Hezbollah militants and infrastructure, not civilians.

'Continuing to target civilians will push the Resistance to launch missiles at settlements that were not previously targeted,' Nasrallah said in a televised address marking the Shi'ite holy day Ashoura. He emphasized that Hezbollah considers all Israeli population centers as settlements.

The current hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began after Hezbollah declared a 'support front' with Palestinians following Hamas's attack on southern Israeli border communities on October 7. Since then, Iran-aligned groups in the region have also been firing on Israel.

In Lebanon, over 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters have been killed, according to a Reuters tally, leading to levels of destruction not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war. Nasrallah vowed to rebuild destroyed homes 'more beautiful than they were before.'

Nasrallah also downplayed Israel's military capability in Lebanon, claiming that Israeli forces would face significant losses. International fears have risen about the possibility of Israel expanding its military operations, but no final decision has been made. Hezbollah stated it doesn't seek war but is prepared for it.