During a televised speech marking the 23rd anniversary of Lebanon's Resistance and Liberation Day, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah responded to recent threats from Israel against the resistance. He emphasized that "hundreds of thousands of resistance fighters across the region are prepared to fight against Tel Aviv."
Nasrallah stated, "You cannot intimidate us with a large-scale war; it is we who pose a threat to you with such warfare. Your recklessness, not ours, could ignite the entire region and lead to a major conflict." He cautioned Israeli leaders to "exercise caution and not make miscalculations."
He added, "The strength and influence of the resistance are growing every day, with significant positive changes in its financial and military capabilities."
Nasrallah reaffirmed that the resistance's struggle against Tel Aviv would continue until the complete liberation of Lebanon, which has seen the occupation of its Shebaa Farms since 1967. He stated, "Anyone who believes that the battle against the enemy is over is deluded, as a portion of our land remains under occupation."
The Hezbollah leader discussed recent geopolitical shifts in West Asia that have isolated Israel to a greater extent, pointing out that "the Israeli military's defeats and the US policy of withdrawal in the region have negatively impacted the Zionist entity."
He stressed that the Axis of Resistance fighters are defending their homeland and are not proxy groups, while Israel is seen as an intruder and occupier. Nasrallah highlighted Israel's reliance on "walls of fire" and its inability to dictate terms in any negotiations with the Palestinians.
Nasrallah also celebrated the "failure" of a "US-Israeli plot" to impose normalization with various Arab states, noting that this went against the wishes of the Arab people. He stated that current circumstances are moving toward a multipolar world, which has instilled fear in Israel.
In another part of his speech, the Hezbollah leader criticized Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, who is wanted by the authorities. Nasrallah stated that Salameh should either step down voluntarily or be removed from his responsibilities through legal actions taken by the judiciary.
These remarks marked the first time Nasrallah publicly called for Salameh's resignation. Several government officials have also made similar demands, but no formal decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Monday, as caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati continues to shield the embattled central bank chief.
On Wednesday, Salameh was questioned by a Lebanese judge, and his Lebanese and French passports were confiscated following an arrest warrant issued by France on corruption charges. Germany has also issued an arrest warrant for Salameh, and Interpol issued a red notice alert against him last week.