Escalation of the Conflict: Hezbollah, Israel and New Weapons

The head of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has announced the use of new weaponry and targets against Israel. This statement marks a significant change in the relations between Hezbollah and Israel. The article examines Nasrallah's declarations in detail, the evolution of the group's tactics, and the wider geopolitical implications of the conflict.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah in Lebanon - a potent militant group, in his speech today during the celebration of Martyrs' Day, has revealed the usage of new types of weapons and new targets in Israel. Reiterating the group's commitment towards the southern front, this announcement marks a new phase in the ongoing conflict between Israel and its staunch enemy.

The Ongoing Conflict

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October, marking a significant shift in relations between the two actors. Nasrallah's address came as his second speech since the outbreak of war. In his first speech earlier this month, he had raised the possibility of the Lebanese front getting involved in a full-blown war.

Hezbollah: New Armament Against Israel

According to Nasrallah, there has been an "upgrade" in Hezbollah's operations along its front with Israel. He highlighted a quantitative improvement in terms of the number of operations, size, and the number of targets, as well as an increase in the type of weaponry used.

Use of Burkan Missile and Armed Drones

Nasrallah stated that Hezbollah has used a missile known as the Burkan, whose explosive charge ranges between 300 and 500 kilograms. Moreover, he confirmed that the group has used armed drones for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the group's tactical evolution.

Retaliations and Casualties

Nasrallah revealed that the group has struck the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona for the first time in retaliation for the killing of three girls and their grandmother earlier this month. He proclaimed firmly: "This front will remain active". Since October, Hezbollah has been engaged in fire exchanges with the Israeli forces along the Lebanese-Israeli border, resulting in at least 70 Hezbollah fighters killed, and numerous civilian casualties.

Wider Implications and Role of Israel and U.S.

Hezbollah, founded in 1982 by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, is the spearhead of a Tehran-back alliance hostile to Israel and the United States. This wider context highlights the complex and multilateral nature of the conflict.

Situation in Gaza

Israel reacted with the siege of Gaza, governed by Hamas, following the group's cross-border assault on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 casualties, as well as 240 people kidnapped and taken hostage in the Palestinian enclave. Gaza's health authorities claim that more than 11,000 people - many of whom are women and children - have been killed since Israel began its blitz on the tiny coastal strip of 2.3 million people.

Editorial Team