Hezbollah chief says all “possibilities” open against Israel
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday warned that "all possibilities" were open against Israel as he gave a fiery speech in which he blasted the Jewish state”s offensive in Gaza.
"We have to act as though all possibilities are real and open (against Israel) and we must always be ready for any eventuality," said Nasrallah, whose Shiite militant party fought a devastating war with Israel in 2006. His comment marked the first time he has spoken so openly on the possibility of a renewed conflict with Israel since the war in Gaza began on December 27.
Nasrallah, addressing tens of thousands of supporters via video link at his stronghold in Beirut”s suburbs on the occasion of Ashura, warned that the 2006 conflict in which some 1,200 mostly Lebanese civilians were killed would be "but a walk in the park" compared to what awaits Israel if it launches a new offensive on Lebanon. "I say to (Israeli Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert, the loser, the vanquished in Lebanon that “you cannot overcome Hamas or Hezbollah”," Nasrallah said. "Your 2006 war will be but a walk in the park compared to what we have prepared for you in the event of a new offensive," he added. "We are ready to sacrifice our souls, our brothers and sisters, our children, our loved ones for what we believe in."
He also reiterated past criticism of Egypt for failing to open its border with Gaza and blasted the UN Security Council for not acting to denounce the Israeli offensive that has left nearly 700 Palestinians dead. "Does the government in Egypt need more than 650 victims and 2,500 wounded to open the Rafah crossing once and for all to help the people of Gaza toward victory?" Nasrallah said. "I am simply asking for the opening of a crossing and not another front."
He also commended Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez for expelling Israel”s ambassador to Caracas saying that all countries, including Arab states, must follow his example. "Arab governments must learn from this great Latin American leader to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people and must cut relations with Israel," he said.
Jordan and Egypt are the only two countries in the Middle East to have diplomatic relations with Israel.