Nasrallah: IDF has turned into a Hollywood Army, any War against Iran would mean the end of Israel & US Hegemony

Speech by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayed Hassan Nasrallah on September 10, 2019, on the 10th day of the month of Muharram, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in Karbala.

Translation: resistancenewsunfiltered.blogspot.com

For a full account of Imam Hussein's martyrdom, see here.

Transcript:

[...] With regard to US sanctions, these oppressive economic sanctions, which we condemn and denounce, against the countries of the Resistance Axis, against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as against the Resistance movements in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq, they constitute an US aggression, (not military but) via economic and financial pressures, and this because of a double failure: the failure of the wars of their Zionist entity against the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine: all the wars of Israel have been unable to change the slightest word, the slightest letter about the positions of the Resistance in Palestine and Lebanon. And the second failure is that of the American proxy wars, via the takfiris armed terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, and the failure of their policies against the Resistance states and movements, which have been placed since many years on the list of terrorist organizations and targeted by sanctions. We have already pointed out that there was nothing new between us and the United States. All this aims to serve the interests of Israel, the Zionist entity.

But when this aggression grows to reach other people than us in Lebanon, like banks that do not belong to Hezbollah and have no connection with us, rich people and traders, simply because of their religious or sectarian (Shiite) affiliation, or their political positions, this implies that we react differently. We in Hezbollah need to reconsider our choices on the issue and respond appropriately. We have said in the past that if we were the only targets of American oppression, we could endure it patiently and silently; but if this oppression extends to other people among our (Lebanese) people, then we must react differently. Similarly, the State and the (Lebanese) government must defend and protect the Lebanese, not rush, as some entities do, to comply with the American aspirations in this regard and to apply the sanctions they have imposed, or even to be more Catholic than the Pope. We reject and condemn this unacceptable attitude. This issue must be addressed because it places Lebanon and the Lebanese economy in the line of fire.

Regarding Israel, (we) Lebanese have foiled recent Israeli attempts to change the rules of engagement existing since 2006. The enemy always conducted numerous violations (of our airspace), hundreds each month and thousands every year, for the past 13 years. But ultimately, Israel used to respect certain red lines: no Lebanese region was subjected to shelling or air strikes, and there was no assassination attempts. These red lines were scrupulously respected by the enemy.

But the latest attack against the southern suburbs of Beirut, which saw two suicide drones sent to strike targets there, was a major assault. The official Lebanese position, at the political and popular levels, was very firm and very strong. Then came the response of the Resistance on the battlefield, from Lebanese territory, hitting inside occupied Palestine (anti-tank missiles fired against an Israeli armored vehicle) via the Lebanese-Palestinian border. And the second response came yesterday, when we shot down for the first time an Israeli drone over the village of Ramya. Despite all the intimidation and threats attempts, we confirm today the equations, and we strengthen our deterrence capacity to protect our country.

Everything that was done by the Israelis in recent days, for example the Israeli dummy soldiers (in their vehicles), this shows the weakness of the Israeli army. And when things have come to what they called "the deception operation", in which they alledgedly staged the evacuation of soldiers with fake injuries that they carried on stretchers, covered in fake blood, and would thus have deceived Hezbollah (into believing that his goal was reached, to prevent him from launching new strikes). Let us imagine that you really tricked us: all that would prove is, in few words, that your renowned legendary and invincible army has turned into a Hollywood army, which makes movies for the cinema, because it became helpless on the ground, incapable, weak, fearful and cowardly, withdrawing from the border to a width of 5 to 7 kilometers (for fear of the promised response by Hezbollah).

O my brothers and sisters, one evidence of the strength of the Resistance is that in the past, the Israeli enemy always sought to establish Security Belts inside Lebanon. That's what they did in 1978, imposing a Security Belt (of 10 kilometers). In 1982 Israel invaded (Lebanon), and in 1985 they imposed their famous Security Belt (inside Lebanon to a depth of 20 km). But for the first time in the history of the struggle between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy, Israel made a Security Belt inside (occupied) Palestine: from its border and up to a width of 5 to 7 km, Israel completely evacuated its positions, soldiers, patrols and tanks. Is this not a proof of our strength?

O Hollywood army, the lesson we draw from this experience, if indeed it is real (it remains to be proven true), is that the next time, you invite us not be content to hit one vehicle or one place, but several vehicles and several positions, so as not to be fooled by new Hollywood movies. (This comedy simulating injuries so that we'd stop hitting you) is a demonstration of weakness and helplessness (and not a sign of strength or intelligence).

[Audience: At your service, O Nasrallah!]

Regarding the fight against the Israeli enemy, I want to emphasize the following point: when I said that from now on, we would have no more red lines, this does not mean the abandonment of UN Resolution 1701. Some Lebanese are going too fast (and eagerly seize any opportunity to denounce Hezbollah). On the one hand, Israel does not comply with this Resolution, does not recognize it and constantly violates it. Right now as we speak, and while we are in the streets (to commemorate 'Ashura), it is certain that there are Israeli violations in our skies in some areas of Lebanon. In this respect, so that no one gets anxious, fearful or wondering, I recall that Lebanon respects Resolution 1701, and that Hezbollah is part of Lebanon's government that respects this Resolution.

That said on the one hand. But there's another thing: if Israel attacks Lebanon, strikes Lebanon, violates the sovereignty of Lebanon, sends its attack drones against Lebanon... If there is any Israeli aggression against Lebanon, the Lebanese have the right to fight back, whether one considers the legal, humanitarian or religious aspects, whether we base ourselves on the Ministerial Declaration or on the verdict confirmed by the Lebanese High Council of Defense: the Lebanese have the right to defend themselves! We have the right to defend Lebanon, Lebanon's sovereignty, dignity, honor, blood and property! And that is why it is better to ignore some inside groans, or the many external threats.

On this day of (the martyrdom of Imam) Hussein, I stress again the deterrence equation confirmed by the fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, with their patience, their presence (on the battlefield) and their great jihad (struggle) in the last days, embraced by their people and their masses, and I declare that yes, if Lebanon is attacked in any way whatsoever, we will also respond to this aggression adequately and appropriately (to the type of aggression). And in defense of Lebanon, the Lebanese people, the Lebanese sovereignty, the security and dignity of Lebanon, we have absolutely no more red lines! That time has passed!

[Audience: At your service, O Nasrallah!]

Today, Lebanon commands respect to the world. I remind you that before our response, there is not a single country in the world among the countries involved in the region which has not contacted Lebanese officials. Lebanon imposes itself to the other countries. The United States contacted Lebanon, as well as France, Britain, Germany, the UN, Egypt... Many countries have contacted Lebanon, whether before the response of the Resistance or right after our strike. The Lebanese should know that today, they are strong. They are strong in the equations, and strong by their golden equation Army-People-Resistance. And when the US envoy comes to us, friend of Israel and concerned about the interests of Israel, wishing to negociate with our Presidents (of the Republic, Council of Ministers and Parliament) on the issues of oil, gas and the (land and sea) borders, the Lebanese should know that they are in a strong position and must behave accordingly. We are strong and able to protect our oil and gas resources and our land, sea and skies, with the Grace of God. Therefore, the Presidents and Lebanese leaders have a great responsibility in their hands, and must protect the rights of the Lebanese regarding the oil, gas, water, territory and borders.  [...]

Regarding our general stance, the stance (that it is) essential (to express) on this day (commemorating Imam Hussein's martyrdom), we, my brothers and sisters, as I said last night, and I repeat myself because the media did not cover this speech, which was essentially religious, but we must clarify and confirm this position today. 

We reject any project of war against Iran, because such a war would engulf the entire region, destroy States and peoples, and constitute a war against the entire Resistance Axis. It would aim to frustrate the last hopes to liberate Palestine and the holy places, and open the way, or so they think, to a complete hegemony of the United States and Israel in our countries and in our region.

On this day of Imam Hussein, on this day of 'Ashura, we reiterate our position as a member of the Resistance Axis: we are not neutral, and we will never be neutral in the battle of good against evil, in the battle of Hussein against Yazid. And to those who think that if this war happens, it will cause the end of the Resistance Axis, I declare to them with all the strength, perseverance, truth, sincerity, determination and sacrifice of this (Resistance) Axis that this war would mean the end of Israel, and the end to the US hegemony and even presence in our region. 

This (Resistance) Axis, this camp, these military forces are led by His Eminence the Imam & Leader Sayyed Khamenei, God preserve him. We declare to the whole world from here, from Lebanon, that our Imam, our leader, our teacher, our dear Leader and the Imam Hussein of our time is His Eminence Grand Ayatollah the Imam Sayed Hussein Ali Khamenei, God preserve him, and that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the heart of this (Resistance) Axis, its essential pillar, its strongest support, its title, its banner, its power, its truth and its substance. 

And so we say to all those who strive to frighten us, to intimidate us, terrorize us or threaten us with war, sanctions and starvation, counting on the fact that we will eventually get out of this Axis and this equation, we say to them today, on the day of 'Ashura, the day of Hussein, peace be upon him, that we are the sons and daughters of this Imam who stood up the 10th day of Muharram, and who announced his stance very clearly, not fearing the consequences, shouting to his enemies: 'The usurper (Yazid) son of a usurper (Mu'awiya) has placed us with only one alternative, the sword or humiliation... '

[Audience: 'But we will never accept humiliation!' (We'd rather die !)]

To our master and Imam, Imam Khamenei, we declare: O our master, O our Imam, O our Hussein, we say to you the same thing that the followers of Imam Hussein told him during the 10th night of Muharram (the day before the massacre). "O our master, O our Imam, O our chief, if we knew that we were going to be killed, burnt (alive), and our ashes scattered in the wind, then resurrected, killed and burned, and our ashes scattered again, and if we had to suffer this torture a thousand times (we'd never abandon you O Hussein!)..." If the US and the Zionists make us suffer this torture a thousand times, 'We will never abandon you O descendant of Imam Hussein (Imam Khamenei is a descendant the Prophet).'

[Audience: We will never abandon you O descendant of Imam Hussein!]

We tell you what was said by Hussein's supporters to their Imam, peace be upon him, during the 10th night of Muharram: 'Shall we stay alive after your martyrdom? Shall we stay alive after you?' This was said by Hussein's companions to their Imam: 'Shall we stay alive after you? May God make our lives sour after you, O Hussein!'

[Audience: May God make our lives sour after you, O Hussein!]

Within this Axis, we experienced only victories, dignity, preservation of our existence, of our holy places and of our sovereignty. This (Resistance) Axis is the only hope of the oppressed, persecuted and dispossessed. As for those who rely on a helping hand and an awakening of the US, (these USA) that unconditionally support Israel, of the US or the West, which unconditionally supports Israel, the US and the West that pay attention to us only if we are strong and standing, threatening our enemies and drawing up our arms and weapons to protect our land, (they delude themselves). We do not count on them, nor on their lies, nor on their hypocrisy. We rely on our Axis, our strength, our people, our kith and kin, on the movements of the Resistance, on our jihad and our Husseinite soul by which we conclude every year during the last moments of the 'Ashura day.

We renew our allegiance to Imam Hussein, and we respond to his call (for help), we greet him and confirm for the whole year to come, until the next 10th day (of Muharram), so that it remains alive in our minds, in our hearts, our culture, our customs, our behavior, our actions, our program, today, tomorrow and forever, 'At Thy service, O Hussein!'

[Audience: 'At Thy service, O Hussein!']

Peace be upon you, O my lord, O Aba Abdillah (Hussein), and upon the souls which were annihilated with you. Receive from us the salutations of peace from God for eternity, as long as the night and the day remain. May God not make this visit my last one. (All together!) Peace be upon Hussein, upon Ali the son Hussein, upon the (other) children of Hussein, and upon the companions of Hussein.

May God reward your grief and your efforts.

And peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings. 

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"Any amount counts, because a little money here and there, it's like drops of water that can become rivers, seas or oceans..." Hassan Nasrallah

Putin about Yemen: Saudi Arabia should Read the Quran and buy our S-300

Press statement and answers to media questions following a trilateral meeting between the leaders of the guarantor states of the Astana process on the settlement in Syria, September 16, 2019, Ankara.

Source: en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/61542

Video: resistancenewsunfiltered.blogspot.com

Transcript:

[...] Question: I must ask you what happened in Saudi Arabia when a Saudi Aramco facility was targeted in a drone attack. Did you discuss this topic during your talks? How will this incident affect the oil market? Does Russia intend to provide Saudi Arabia with any help or support in restoring its infrastructure?

Vladimir Putin: [...] We did not discuss the airstrikes against Saudi Arabia’s refineries. However, you know our position, I mean Russia’s position. First, it is true that an extreme humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Yemen. Disaster is the right word to describe what is going on in that country. We are ready to help and call on everyone who can do this to follow our lead. This is my first point.

Second, we believe that the best way to overcome this crisis is to facilitate agreements between all the parties involved in the conflict. Here in Turkey, in a predominately Muslim country, a verse from the Quran comes to mind: “And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers.” I believe that this message is highly relevant: you became, by His favour, brothers. It is emphasised that things that set people apart and bring about conflict must be relegated to the background, while the spiritual kinship among people must prevail.

As for assisting Saudi Arabia, it is also written in the Quran that violence of any kind is illegitimate except when protecting one’s people. In order to protect them and the country, we are ready to provide the necessary assistance to Saudi Arabia. All the political leaders of Saudi Arabia have to do is take a wise decision, as Iran did by buying the S-300 missile system, and as President Erdogan did when he bought Russia’s latest S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft system. They would offer reliable protection for any Saudi infrastructure facilities.

President of Iran Hassan Rouhani: So do they need to buy the S-300 or the S-400?

Vladimir Putin: It is up to them to decide. [...]

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"Any amount counts, because a little money here and there, it's like drops of water that can become rivers, seas or oceans..." Hassan Nasrallah

Nasrallah: Hezbollah has no more 'Red Lines', all Israel can be Targeted

Political section of the speech of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayed Hassan Nasrallah on September 2nd, 2019, on the occasion of the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (‘Ashura), and the day after Hezbollah’s retaliation against an Israeli armored vehicle.

According to Israel's military censor, there were no Israelis so much as scracthed by Hezbollah's Kornet missiles, but only 2 days later, an Israeli soldier was severely injured and almost died because of an alledged 'rock-throwing game'. Sounds like the lousiest cover-up ever...

Transcript: 

The (political) part of my speech will be devoted to the latest developments, that is Hezbollah’s retaliation, the different reactions to it and (everything that happened yesterday and today).

First, we express our thanks to God Most High and Exalted for the success, the victory, and the accomplishments He has bestowed upon us, because all the benefits we enjoy come from His beneficence, His goodness, and His mercy. We praise Him and implore His forgiveness.

I must then address, at the beginning of my speech, the Resistance, the Mujahideen (fighters in the way of God), be them leaders, soldiers or persons in charge, who since 8 days, since Sunday (August 25) to this day, until last night or until this morning at least, were on the battlefield, at every time, along the Lebanese border with occupied Palestine, and ready (to hit the first valuable target). It is by their presence, their state of alert, their courage, their efficiency and their sacrifices that we realized and confirmed all the equations that dissuade the enemy and protect our country.

These brothers, since the first hours after my Sunday (August 25) speech, whether under the sun or under the stars, in the heat of daylight or the freshness of the night, and in spite of the maximum alert of the Israeli enemy, of his radars and (surveillance) drones, as well as all his (ultra-sophisticated) technical means, remained in front of the enemy, exposed (to strikes), present on the ground (and  not hidden in bunkers), ready to give their blood. After God the Most High and the Exalted, it is they whom we must thank, these noble and very dear brothers.

In the same way, I must thank the Lebanese army, which remained vigilant on the whole length of the border, ready to face any aggression. I also express our thanks to our beloved people, our kith and kin, and our beloved families, especially those who are in the villages and regions closest to the border, who have spent all these days living their daily & normal lives, and who have followed, supported and congratulated our retaliation, and expressed their joy and pride in the success of the Resistance.

Likewise, we naturally thank anew the (Lebanese) Presidents (of the Republic, of the Council of Ministers and of the Parliament) and government officials, and all those who have clearly and firmly taken a stance (alongside the Resistance). I declare in truth that they have followed the events until the last moments, and have assumed their national responsibility.

I particularly thank the media, who have made great efforts to follow the evolution of the situation, supporting the actions of the Resistance and showing the situation as it really was, thwarting the enemy’s attempts to hide the facts (claiming that Hezbollah didn’t cause any casualties). As I will explain, our operation did not take place only yesterday in the afternoon, but extended from my speech (on August 25) to the military operation itself. All of this has been closely monitored by the media, and I thank them all, especially the reporters on the ground, who sometimes put themselves in danger in order to show the situation in a strong and eloquent way [the Israeli Army had completely deserted the area, allowing some Al-Manar, Al-Mayadeen and Russia Today Arabic journalists to infiltrate Israeli territory and even enter abandoned military bases]. We also thank all the analysts and commentators who provided the public with truthful, relevant and eloquent explanations.

I did not prepare a list of all those I had to thank, so in advance, I apologize to all those I may have forgotten, which will dispense me from mentioning them later [Laughter]. We thank everyone.

Secondly, I will quickly assess what has happened so that I can draw clear conclusions. What happened started during the night from Saturday to Sunday (August 25), and consisted of two events. The first event was the Israeli airstrike against the city of ‘Aqraba in the suburbs of Damascus, which led to the martyrdom of our dear brothers Yasser Dhaher and Hassan Zbib. And a few hours later, the second event was the operation of the two suicide drones in the southern suburbs of Beirut. I want to clarify something in this regard: it is common knowledge that the first suicide drone was neutralized (pelted with stones) and fell to the ground, and therefore failed to achieve what it was sent for. I add today that the second suicide drone, which was also sent to destroy a target, also failed in its mission: the target that this drone tried to destroy was not hit. The Israelis know well what they have come to strike, and I have no reason to reveal it, but I announce to the enemy that this operation failed. And it is also a blessing of God the Most High and Exalted.

Since the first moments, we have announced, especially in my Sunday speech, that we would not remain silent about these two aggressions, that we would not accept that new equations are imposed (to our disadvantage), and that we wouldn’t let the achievements of our July 2006 victory be squandered. And that’s why we said we would retaliate with certainty to these two attacks.

Our response has taken two aspects. The first aspect of our response took place on the ground, and across the international border with occupied Palestine, with the territory of Palestine occupied in 1948. And the second aspect of our response concerns Israeli drones in the skies of Lebanon.

Regarding the first aspect, the direct operation on the ground, we have stated publicly and clearly... I will present the overall situation to highlight our strengths, the strengths of Lebanon, and the points of weakness, humiliation, fear and failure of the enemy. We announced publicly that we would retaliate from Lebanon, from anywhere on the Lebanese border (with occupied Palestine), and perhaps even in the depths (of Israel). We warned the enemy that he had to expect us (any time) from now on. This is a strength point of the Resistance. We could have remained silent, refrained from threatening (Israel of an imminent retaliation), not revealing our intentions, keeping quiet as we say, for 1, 2 or 3 days, then hit them by surprise. The military know that one of the most important aspects of a military operation is the element of surprise. But we have not done so, because our fight against the Zionist entity has a major psychological component, affecting the morale and soul of the enemy (which we strive to undermine). So we told them from the beginning to wait for us, because we were coming. In itself, it is an enormous challenge issued by the Resistance, (but the enemy did not dare to take up the gauntlet).

If we consider the overall situation, in our eyes, everything that has happened since my (August 25) speech until yesterday, and which I will detail, is a (humiliating) punishment inflicted on the enemy, a deterrence of the enemy, a (successful) confrontation with the enemy. It is an operation composed of several layers that add up. Part of it is psychological, part of it touches the morale, part of it takes place on the battlefield, a part consists of an (anti-tank) missile launch, but all this is part of the same operation of a multiple punishment of the enemy, consisting of different layers.

If we consider the situation since last Sunday, since my August 25 speech, and briefly summarize the facts, what happened?

1 - The border has been deserted throughout its length. For Israel, there was no longer any distinction between the blue line, the international border, and this or that disputed piece of land in one direction or the other: the entire border, whether it is indicated by a wall or barbed wire, was completely abandoned by Israel, and it was impossible to find any soldier on the whole length of the border. Neither soldiers, nor these vehicles that regularly move on the dirt tracks or asphalt could be seen along the border. We did not see anyone nor anything. It is only today that they began to reappear, our operation having ended yesterday.

2 - All positions close to the borders have been completely abandoned. They did not even hole up in their bases, no, they completely abandoned them. They escaped. By God, it’s more than we expected. I told them to hole up, but they literally fled.

[Audience: At your service, O Nasrallah!]

Entire barracks were abandoned, like the one whose name has now become famous, the barracks of Avivim. A large military base, including a command center occupied by a large number of officers and soldiers, etc., etc., etc., was completely deserted, as a journalist (from Russia Today) showed: she went in and walked the premises, finding them completely empty. There was absolutely no one! Several barracks and military positions have been abandoned at the border, and sometimes even in the depths (of Israel).

3 - At a depth of 5 kilometers in some areas, and 7 kilometers in others, special measures, severe restrictions, evacuations and travel bans have been put in place. Even in the settlements, as we saw on television, cameras roamed the settlements from morning till night and did not meet a soul: no pedestrians, no motorists, no motorcyclists, no bicycles, no open shops, nothing. Everyone stood still. They were all holed up in their houses, and the doors of the shelters were open.

4 - Very severe (security) measures were taken everywhere in Israel, with an unprecedented state of alert. All the Iron Dome units that they could find and bring to the North, they brought and deployed them to face (possible) missile fire. All their anti-aircraft defense capabilities were activated, as well as all their means of dealing with the missiles or drones that Hezbollah could have launched towards occupied Palestine. Of course, we have drones (in quality and quantity), it’s not a secret and they know it well.

5 - During these 8 days, their combat units were on alert, on a war footing and deployed: I speak of several divisions, several air bases, several naval bases, etc.

If we consider the general situation that prevailed on the Israeli side during these last days, it was clear that this Israel, which to this day presents itself as endowed with the most powerful army of the region, the first army of the region, this arrogant, despotic, infatuated and tyrannical state, which once terrorized millions and hundreds of millions of people (through its wars and threats of aggression), for eight days, the whole world saw it frightened, fearful, hidden, holed up, and having completely deserted the Lebanese border on a width of at least 5 kilometers. It’s an absolute shame and humiliation. It is a demonstration of weakness. This is one manifestation of the fact that Israel is weaker than a spider’s web. And that’s part of the punishment (we inflicted on Israel). Before we retaliated with our military operation, some people were (ironically) asking: where is your response? But (this terror situation on the Israeli side) was already a punishment and a retaliation.

On the other hand, on our side, the Lebanese army has not left the border anywhere, remaining in all its positions. Likewise, the Resistance was present everywhere it was supposed to be. Our good Lebanese people was normally moving in border areas, whether in villages or fields [Israeli settlers were forbidden to approach “their” fields in occupied Palestine], and led a completely normal life.

So we have a scene (of normal life) on our side, on our territory and in our villages, a scene of endurance, strength, assurance, confidence, certainty, dignity and nobility, be it Lebanon, its people, its army, its State or its Resistance. Such was the scene on our side, (compare it with the spectacle of terror and desolation on the other side).

Similarly, to properly assess the situation, it should be noted that yesterday, the Resistance conducted its operation in broad daylight. The military is well aware of what it means to conduct an operation in broad daylight (risk of detection, of elimination, etc.), so close to the border, while the (Israeli surveillance) drones were flying in the sky, and while their combat helicopters were ready to come and hit us. Our fighters were exposed to danger in broad daylight because we did not act at night. It is a deliberate choice we made not to act at night, for reasons that I will not bother to mention (show of force, etc.). We made the decision to act imperatively by day, and we communicated it to the brothers in charge of the operation on the ground, and it is also one of the reasons for the delay of the operation, because if we had acted at night, we would have had more targets and opportunities.

This Resistance did not hit directly at the border – anyway, there were no targets at the border – but at some depth (2 kilometers). And despite all the Israeli measures, despite all their precautions and despite all the dummy targets they have scattered everywhere (empty vehicles or occupied by dummies dressed as soldiers), a considerable amount of military vehicles and tanks placed here and there, which were all calling for our strikes to put an end to this unbearable wait for the enemy, despite all this, the Resistance has patiently waited, watched and monitored, ensuring the validity of information and checking all the data, and when a valuable target finally showed up, we hit it and touched it with certainty. Today, the whole world was able to see the video of the operation broadcast in the media. What happened clearly demonstrates our boldness, our courage, our precision and our sense of responsibility.

O my brothers and sisters, one of the most important points about what happened yesterday, and whatever the Israeli attempts to minimize its losses, is the very fact that the operation was conducted. The most important aspect of the operation, even before its success and its results, is to have been accomplished! We had the courage to do it! For the past 7 days, in the media, there is not a single Israeli official who has not said that if we opened fire, shot a missile, killed, wounded or attacked, the reaction would be devastating and could lead to war, etc. We have heard all conceivable threats. And the most severe are those that were expressed through the diplomatic channels: if one was to believe them, Israel would not tolerate the slightest shot in its direction, would respond disproportionately and destroy the country, returning it to the Stone Age. A considerable operation to terrorize us was conducted by the media and diplomatic channels (United States, Great Britain, France, etc.). But I assure you, O my brothers and sisters, and in all sincerity: not only Hezbollah hasn’t flinched, but none of the Lebanese officials with whom we spoke trembled! Nobody flinched! And Lebanon remained strong in its attachment (to its right to defend itself), and its faith in our retaliation response and the legitimacy of our retaliation. The very fact that we made this operation is a success in itself!

I come to the most important point to which all should pay attention, because it is on it that I will base the conclusion of this whole episode of confrontation, and the new equation in force. In the past, when we were attacked, where did we respond? In the Shebaa Farms, inside the Shebaa Farms. Because there are Israeli military positions inside the Shebaa farms. The traps we laid for Israeli tanks and vehicles were placed on occupied Lebanese territory. The rest of the border, that is to say the border of Lebanon with the territory of Palestine occupied in 1948, and which the enemy considers as its official and indisputable border, its usurping State and its entity, the very fact of touching this border was considered by the enemy for decades as one of the largest red lines. Israel could not tolerate anyone allowing himself to touch the barbed wire delimiting the border, sending any drone flying over its territory, firing in the air, or throwing a grenade at it. No way! Israel responded violently to any such violation, for it was a red line in their eyes! What happened yesterday is that the main red line of Israel for decades has been shattered by the Islamic Resistance! That’s what happened yesterday.

[Audience: At your service, O Nasrallah!]

It’s not a red line anymore. It’s over. This period is well and truly over, regardless of what the Israelis can say and claim.

And even tastier, this Israel, which normally [Laughter] responds to any shot, any projectile and any grenade by air strikes, assassinations and massive destruction, yesterday, Israel has made considerable efforts to absorb the blow at all costs. And even their incendiary and phosphorous strikes (against empty lands and forests) were mostly defensive, and aimed at building a smokescreen to protect themselves from further strikes, as they imagined that the Resistance was going to strike again the barracks of Avivim and other positions. But they wanted to get over with it and especially not escalate, being ready to conclude a truce at any price.

What is the result of all this? First, we confirmed and even reinforced the deterrence equation. If Netanyahu wanted to change the equation in his favor, we confirmed it and even reinforced it in our favor. Our deterrent force is now greater. We have increased it by one step. He feared a retaliation from us, but thought we would respect some red lines. But we said and demonstrated that we no longer have any red line. Since Netanyahu tried to change the rules of engagement, our response was to break absolutely all the red lines (of Israel). We have passed from a stage where our responses were launched exclusively against (a thin band of) occupied Lebanese territory, namely the Shebaa Farms and the Kfar Chouba Hills, to a stage where our response directly strikes the territory of occupied Palestine! It’s something new. It’s completely new. And we do not have to hit the border area. We can strike at 1, 2 or 5 kilometers, or, if need be, far more distant points, in the full depth of occupied Palestine.

What is the message we sent? This is where our accomplishment and success lie. The message is clear: if you attack us, all your borders, all your soldiers and all your settlements, whether at the border, deep or at the very extremity of your entity, will be threatened and may be targeted by our response, absolutely and categorically. This does not pose us any problem. And the courage and boldness demonstrated by the Resistance yesterday will be found in the future by actions much more courageous, bolder, stronger and more important. Such is the new equation.

Today, I want to say this to the Israelis: Listen carefully to what Netanyahu did by his imbecility and pettiness, and remember this date, September 1, 2019. Sunday, September 1, 2019 is the beginning of a new stage of the situation on the Lebanese border with occupied Palestine: as regards the defense of Lebanon, its sovereignty, its dignity, its security and its people, there is no longer any red line!

[Audience: At your service, O Nasrallah!]

I now come to the second point. I already started to mention it on Sunday (August 25) when I declared that from now on, we would work on a new file on which we had avoided to intervene during all the past years, namely the Lebanese skies and its permanent violation by Israeli drones. I explained that it was only internal Lebanese considerations that led us to leave this issue aside, and that we constantly called upon the Lebanese State to solve this problem. But it has not been resolved. We have therefore established, and it is now irrevocable in the deterrence equation, that the Lebanese have the right to defend their territory, their skies, their waters, their people, their security and their sovereignty, and that we would take care of defending them. And so we opened a new field of action, namely to confront the Israeli drones in our skies. I say nothing more than that. I speak of the Lebanese skies. We have established and announced it clearly. The decision is made, and implementing this choice is now in the hands of our fighters on the ground, as for the first point. Since August 25, the decision to retaliate against Israel was taken and was in the hands of the fighters on the ground, to whom we announced that we were in no hurry: we wanted a clean operation, without any loss on our side, and that would restore the deterrence equation in our favor. The opportunity arose, they seized it and we re-established and strengthened the deterrence equation.

Today, with regard to the fight against Israeli drones, the same is true: the decision is made, and everything is now in the hands of our combatants on the ground. And I already explained how we would behave, what was our vision, etc., so I do not need to repeat myself [Hezbollah does not commit to shooting down all the drones, because that may disclose and / or exhaust all of its anti-aircraft defenses, but will act wisely and judiciously depending on the circumstances]. Tomorrow, someone will tell us, when the first drone is shot down – and this can happen at any time –, that we are putting the stability of the country in danger, pushing the situation towards a military escalation, etc. But it will be useless. Whoever wants, within the international community, especially the countries that contacted us before Sunday, Sunday and during the Sunday operation, I say to them now: whoever cares about the stability of Lebanon and the region must speak with the Israelis and tell them that the time of the violation of Lebanon’s skies with impunity is over. This time is over. There will be no more tolerance and we will no longer look the other way. Hezbollah will no longer allow the sovereignty and the skies of Lebanon to be violated. As for how we deal with it, it’s a decision that’s in our hands. But it’s our right. No matter how long it takes, it’s our right, and the way we act is just a detail. Of course, that’s part of our response.

Today, I declare that because of the death of our two brothers killed in Syria, and the two suicide drones in Beirut, our response began on Sunday, continued yesterday and will continue via the fight against drones. That’s what we decided. Naturally, we come out stronger from this episode of confrontation, with a stronger position. Netanyahu wanted to overturn the rules of engagement in Israel’s favor, and we stopped him. He wanted to break the balance of deterrence, and we strengthened it in our favor. This is the result, and that is the conclusion.

Anyway, the Israelis must know that all this was caused by the stupidity of this man, who has only one idea in mind, to win the elections at all costs in order to escape justice for the many corruption cases in which he is involved.

So we can say that this new stage of confrontation is over from the point of view of the new equation that it has founded. And in the future, the fight against drones will continue. And in case of aggression against Lebanon, there will no longer be any red line at the international borders and in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948, to which will henceforth extend all our retaliations, which will no longer be confined to the Shebaa farms. All the limits have been removed, and everything is now clear.

I renew my thanks to God and to our fighters, whose response has confirmed and strengthened the equations, prevented the rules of engagement from being violated in favor of the enemy, preserved the achievements of the July 2006 war, as well as the dignity, the honor and the pre-eminence of Lebanon vis-a-vis Israel.

So much for this topic. I’m done with the political section of my speech. Pray upon the Prophet and his family.

[Audience: O my God, pray upon Muhammad and his family!]

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Any amount counts, because a little money here and there, it's like drops of water that can become rivers, seas or oceans..." Hassan Nasrallah