Lebanon’s Hezbollah party continues to throw the blame on Lebanese authorities for Israel’s military escalations in the South, as a ministerial source questions the party’s silence over the fall of the strategic Ali al-Taher hill following reports of an Iranian-US deal. “It is unfortunate that this rhetoric of holding the authorities responsible continues, while everyone knows who dragged the country into this war and whose interests they served by doing so”, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity on Sunday. Hezbollah didn’t issue any clear position after the downfall of Ali al-Taher into Israel’s control. The source questioned why the group had not defended it or explained to its supporters what had actually happened there. “Why did they not defend Ali al-Taher? Why don’t they tell their supporters the truth about what actually happened there, instead of maintaining this complete silence?” said the source. The source also pointed to a shift in Hezbollah’s rhetoric, from portraying Ali al-Taher as strategic and issuing threats over it, to downplaying its significance following its downfall. Israeli Escalation in the South and Bekaa Israeli strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon on Friday killed four people and wounded 32, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes hit seven villages mainly striking Nabtieh. In Mayfadoun, an 18-year-old woman was killed. Israel said it targeted Hezbollah personnel and weapons infrastructure in response to a drone launch toward its forces. Also, Israeli drones flew at low altitude over Beirut and its southern suburbs on Saturday, while Israeli aircraft struck homes in Mansouri and carried out several explosions in the area. Large explosions were also reported in Bani Hayyan, with footage showing extensive smoke. Hezbollah Steps Up Rhetoric against the Government Hezbollah escalated its rhetoric against the Lebanese authority, considering Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon showed the failure of the state’s approach toward Israel. In a statement it issued on Saturday, Hezbollah said: “The Israeli enemy continues to escalate its aggression and crimes against Lebanon, through killings, bombardment, destruction and the systematic demolition of homes and villages, amid complete international silence, blatant US complicity and the total absence of the Lebanese authorities from assuming their responsibilities”. It added that the authorities’ continued pursuit of “wrong choices and a concessionary and submissive approach” had only served to entrench the occupation and allow the enemy to continue its aggression and crimes against the Lebanese people. Hezbollah said the Israeli aggression was putting pressure on the Lebanese authorities to carry out what it described as “agendas” with known objectives, warning that continuing along the negotiating path “gives the enemy cover to continue its aggression and more time to achieve its goals and impose its conditions and dictates on Lebanon.” Hezbollah also criticized the direct US-sponsored Lebanese-Israel talks and the “framework agreement,” arguing that the continued occupation and Israeli attacks undermined any claims of progress achieved through the process.
