Eurasia Press & News
Latest Developments
• Hezbollah Warns Israel Against a ‘War of Attrition’: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem delivered a speech on November 6 in which he asserted that Israel should not rely on a “war of attrition.” Qassem — the successor to Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated by Israel in September — maintained that Hezbollah’s “strength lies in its endurance” and that the Iran-backed terrorist group is “prepared” to defeat Israel “no matter how long it takes.” Warning that “no area in Israel is off limits,” Qassem vowed that Israel “will not achieve victory, even if time drags on.”
• No Diplomatic Solution: Qassem stated that “only one thing can stop this war of aggression, and that is the battlefield.” Hezbollah will not participate in indirect negotiations with Israel unless the Jewish state “decides to stop” operating in Lebanon, he added.
• Hezbollah Attacks Continue: Hezbollah fired a volley of rockets at central Israel on November 6. The IDF intercepted most of the projectiles, but one impacted near Ben Gurion Airport. Hezbollah said it had targeted Israel’s Tzifrin military base south of Tel Aviv.
FDD Expert Response
“There was little that was unpredictable about Qassem’s second speech as secretary-general — from its date, coinciding with 40 days since Nasrallah’s assassination, to its content. Once again, he stressed that Hezbollah will continue to have the upper hand until a ceasefire is achieved. The attacks deeper into Israel were meant to underscore Qassem’s points and commemorate the significant date.” — David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow
“After suffering significant setbacks at the hands of the Israelis, Hezbollah is striving to project an image of strength and resilience. Although Hezbollah publicly asserts that it won’t engage in indirect negotiations with Israel until the Jewish state ceases hostilities, matters are likely different behind closed doors. Hezbollah has a vested interest in considering Israeli proposals to end the conflict, particularly those that could be presented in a way that allows the group to maintain credibility in the eyes of its supporters.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal
“Israel has made significant strides in dismantling much of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in Lebanese villages near the Blue Line. However, the job is far from over, as Hezbollah retains the capability to launch projectiles from various locations across Lebanon, posing an ongoing threat to Israeli population centers. To address the persistent danger posed by Hezbollah’s mid-range missiles, Israel must sustain its momentum from recent operations and continue countering this threat effectively.” — Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Research Analyst
