“It is the season of warnings, with one warning after another coming our way, cautioning us that any Israeli response would be extremely harsh and would cross all red lines if we were to launch any operations against Israeli forces, under any pretext.”
This is what Hezbollah is revealing through statements by several of its senior officials, who explain that these warnings and alerts have come through multiple local, Arab and foreign channels.
The same sources estimate that the number of such warnings and alerts has exceeded ten. They have taken the form of clear, direct warnings conveyed through various channels, as well as advisory messages sent “out of concern.”
These sources recall that the warnings intensified most notably on the eve of Israel’s general elections, before escalating further in recent days amid renewed indications of a likely US-Israeli war against Iran.
In the immediate aftermath of this sweeping wave of warnings, discussions began about a commitment and pledge Hezbollah had allegedly given to those who contacted it, namely to stay out of any upcoming war, based on two considerations:
First, Iran has informed the relevant parties, foremost among them Hezbollah, that it does not need any support, as its own resources and capabilities are sufficient to respond.
Second, Hezbollah itself has recently removed the term “support” from its political vocabulary, replacing it with the assertion that it has decided to move into a new phase of “self-defense.” This means that it is no longer in a position to take the initiative or promise to support any party, as it did in the last two wars.
However, the rhetoric Hezbollah has adopted recently has not dispelled the doubts and fears of many over the possibility of its involvement in any upcoming war, particularly if predictions based on the premise that the anticipated US-Iranian confrontation will be the “mother of all confrontations” and the final one prove accurate. In military terms, this would be the ultimate “decisive battle.”
Hezbollah confirms, through several of its own sources, that over the past two weeks it has come under an “intensive campaign involving several capitals and parties, all demanding one thing: Give us a commitment that this time you will keep yourselves and your weapons out of any potential regional war.”
It is no secret that this very issue was at the heart of the recent meeting between Hezbollah parliamentary bloc leader Mohammad Raad and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
Raad responded: “We are not prepared to give the enemy any assurances, because we are in a state of self-defense and because the occupying state is accustomed to treachery and reneging on ceasefire agreements, the latest of which was the November 2024 agreement. The problem is Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanese territory. Accordingly, everyone must put pressure on Israel to first abide by a halt to its daily aggression and, second, withdraw from the occupied Lebanese areas.”
Has Tehran actually informed Hezbollah that it no longer needs its support?
Hezbollah responds: “The claim that Tehran has asked us to stand ready is propaganda. What is certain is that it has not asked Hezbollah to intervene. However, it is only natural for it to call for caution and vigilance. We have always been, and remain, fully prepared, because we are at war with Israel. Under these circumstances, caution is essential, and refraining from giving any assurances is something we are bound to do.”
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar
