Nasrallah Speaks of Confronting Israel as Observers Interpret his Comments as ‘Psychological War’

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. (AFP)
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. (AFP)
TT
20

Nasrallah Speaks of Confronting Israel as Observers Interpret his Comments as ‘Psychological War’

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. (AFP)
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. (AFP)

“Hezbollah” Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on Sunday of pushing the region to war in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

He called on the Jews, who migrated to Israel, to leave as “they will have no secure place in occupied Palestine.”

Nasrallah’s stances elevated the possibilities of a new war with Israel that observers believe would not touch “Hezbollah” alone, but would start from Syria to later spread to all of Lebanon.

Addressing “Hezbollah” followers on the last day of the Shi’ite commemoration of Ashoura in Beirut's southern suburbs, Nasrallah said: “Netanyahu, his government and the military leaderships do not have a correct assessment of where this war will lead if they ignite it, and they do not know how it would end.”

Earlier this year, Nasrallah said that a future Israeli war against Syria or Lebanon could draw thousands of fighters from countries such as Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Pakistan, and could take place inside Israel.

Political analyst Qassem Qassir, who is close to Hezbollah, placed Nasrallah’s stances in the framework of deterrent statements. He also spoke about a number of studies that were prepared by Israel that Tel Aviv could wage a war against “Hezbollah” before its militants returned from Syria.

However, Hisham Jaber, a retired army general, who heads the Middle East Center for Studies and Political Research, ruled out any war between the two sides before 2020. He explained that internal and foreign conditions are not in “Hezbollah’s” favor to start a war against Israel, while Tel Aviv cannot endure the repercussions of any new war.

Jaber said Nasrallah’s comments were part of a “psychological war.”

Meanwhile, Qassir told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Any war launched by Netanyahu would aim to win the battle and not to deter it, therefore Israel plans to fiercely hit ‘Hezbollah’.”

He added that all signs indicate that any future war would not be limited to Lebanon or be directed only against “Hezbollah”, similar to what happened in 2006, but it would start in Syria and stretch across Lebanon.



UN Aid Chief Demands Evidence After Israel Accuses Staff of Links to Hamas

 Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20

UN Aid Chief Demands Evidence After Israel Accuses Staff of Links to Hamas

 Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher has demanded that Israel provide evidence for its accusations that staff with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs were affiliated with Palestinian fighters from Hamas, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Friday.

At a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon declared that Fletcher and OCHA were no longer neutral and that hundreds of OCHA employees would undergo security vetting. Israel would also restrict OCHA visas to one month, he said.

"Israel has uncovered clear evidence of Hamas affiliation within OCHA’s ranks," Danon told the 15-member council without providing evidence.

In a letter to the Security Council on Thursday, Fletcher said Danon's remarks were the first time any such concern had been raised and that the accusations were "extremely serious and have security implications for our staff."

"I expect the Israeli authorities to immediately share any evidence that led them to make such claims to the council," Fletcher said.

He noted that around the world OCHA engages with all parties to armed conflict to secure humanitarian access, press for the protection of civilians and promote respect for humanitarian principles, adding: "As Israeli authorities know, our contacts with Hamas have also supported hostage releases."

Israel is committed to helping civilians and getting aid to those in need, Danon said, though he warned: "We will not work with organizations that have chosen politics over principles."

The war in Gaza was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's military campaign has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and reduced much of the enclave to ruins.

"We must hold all parties to the standards of international law in this conflict," Fletcher wrote in his letter. "We do not choose between demanding the end to the starvation of civilians in Gaza and demanding the unconditional release of all the hostages."

Israel, which controls all supplies entering Gaza, denies it is responsible for shortages of food.