Hezbollah claims "Red Line" breached after deadly attack; Israel threatened with "crushing response" by Iran

A man walks beneath a giant billboard showing pictures of the slain figures (L to R) Palestinian Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, and Lebanese Hezbollah's commander Fuak Shukr, along a road leading to Beirut International Airport on September 19, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah has condemned Israel's recent attack on the group's communications devices as a severe blow and a breach of red lines. In a televised address, Nasrallah vowed continued strikes on northern Israel, asserting that Israelis would remain unable to return to their homes until the Gaza conflict ends.

The remarks follow a series of unprecedented bombings that occurred this week, widely attributed to Israel. The attacks targeted pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, resulting in at least 37 deaths and around 3,000 injuries across Beirut, parts of Lebanon, and Damascus. The explosions are seen as part of Israel’s strategic effort to incapacitate Hezbollah members and disrupt their operations.

In response to the bombings, Israeli forces have intensified their strikes, with at least two Israeli soldiers confirmed dead in the skirmishes. Israeli warplanes have also carried out low-flying maneuvers over Beirut, adding to the city’s tensions. The ongoing exchanges have raised concerns about a potential escalation into full-scale war.

Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah, has also reacted strongly. The Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami issued a statement threatening Israel with a “crushing response” from the “axis of resistance,” which includes Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned groups. Salami labeled the bombings as acts of desperation and failure by Israel and promised a retaliatory strike.

The latest developments come amid a conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which began with a militant attack on October 7, 2023. The violence has seen significant casualties and displacement on both sides of the border.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has indicated a shift in focus to the northern front, suggesting a potential new phase in the conflict. Meanwhile, Lebanon continues to grapple with the aftermath of the bombings, with heightened security measures and ongoing investigations into the attacks.

(With Agencies inputs)