On March 1 local time, Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, publicly issued a statement condemning the U.S. and Israel's military strikes against Iran, stating that it would continue to resist the U.S.-Israeli aggression and fulfill its "responsibility to resist invasion."

The statement by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on March 1 was made in the context of Israel and the U.S. launching military strikes against Iran, which resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei. This was not just verbal condemnation but also accompanied by actual military escalation.

Ideological Declaration and Strategic Alliance

Hezbollah referred to the U.S.-Israeli actions as "criminal and brutal aggression" and emphasized that the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei was a "heinous crime."

Swearing to uphold the "responsibility to resist invasion," and not leaving the "battlefield of honor and resistance," aims to consolidate its core position within the "resistance axis."

Following the statement, Hezbollah quickly took military action: On March 2, it announced that it had used precision-guided rockets and drones to strike a military base in Haifa, Israel, in retaliation for the U.S.-British actions and in response to Israel's "ongoing aggression." Also on the same day, six rockets were fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel.

Although it must account for its ally Iran, Hezbollah has suffered heavy losses in its conflict with Israel in 2024 and its strength has been greatly weakened. Its response to Israel lacks both the will and the capability. Therefore, the intensity of the response needs to be carefully designed—showing a posture while avoiding triggering a full-scale war that could destroy itself.

In summary, Nasrallah's statement is an ideological pledge, strategic support for Iran, and a reassurance to internal hardliners. However, the subsequent military response may also drag Lebanon into the danger of a larger conflict.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858557460582416/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.