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On November 11, 2023, The Secretary-General of Hizbullah, Hassan Nasrallah, delivered a televised speech to mark "Martyrs' Day," an annual event organized Hizbullah to honor the fighters who have been killed over the years in confrontations with Israel.[1]
Today's speech was his second since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the beginning of the Israeli military operation in Gaza.[2]
In this speech he explained that "Martyr's Day" was chosen to be held on this date, November 11, to mark Hizbullah's bombing of the Israeli military governor's headquarters in Tyre, which was carried out by "our prince of the martyrs, Ahmad Qassir."
Qassir was a Lebanese man who was the first to carry out a suicide bombing against Israel in south Lebanon, which targeted the headquarters of the Israeli military governor on November 11, 1982.
'Tyre Operation Parallel To Hamas Attack'
Nasrallah began his speech by praising the sacrifice of Hizbullah fighters who "met martyrdom" fighting against Israel, including those who fell over the past weeks "in support of Gaza," and those killed in previous battles against Israel since 1982.
"11-11 is the day of Hizbullah's martyrs, in our rituals traditions and commitments, and we mean [ to honor] all martyrs, from the first martyr who fell fighting alongside the Resistance in 1982, namely the Resistance of Hizbullah, and up to the last martyr who was buried today."
He further noted that the event also honored all Hizbullah's commanders, clerics, women, and children who were killed in wars with Israel.
"This day was chosen in memory of the qualitative, grand, and great operation carried out on November 11, 1982, against the headquarters of the Israeli military governor in Tyre. It led to the destruction of the entire building and the killing of more than 100 Israeli officers and soldiers. It made the occupier entity [i.e., Israel] declare three days of national mourning. And we saw how [former Israeli PM Ariel] Sharon's face was pale and dark in front of the governor's building. This operation [was executed by] our prince of the martyrs, Ahmed Qassir."
Nasrallah further argued that the 1982 Tyre operation was one of the best blows dealt to Israel, parallel to the October 7 Hamas attack.
Establishing that Hizbullah's fight is not only against Israel but also the U.S., he said: "The blood of the istishahdi [i.e., suicide bomber] Ahmed Qassir, and the blood of all the martyrs, is what defeated the American-Israeli sword pointed at our region."
After a long explanation of the significant status of martyrs in Islam and Shi'ism, Nasrallah emphasized that "martyrdom is the victory maker," citing the late [Iran's Supreme Leader] Imam Khomeini in his description of the battle of Karbala.[3]
"Escalation In Gaza Has Regional Depth"
Discussing the events in Gaza, he said that there have been two significant developments. The first is the "unprecedented" Israeli military escalation in Gaza, saying that the "Israeli aggression" against Gaza is a "genocide" that targets women and children, churches, mosques, schools, international organizations, and hospitals. He further cited the increasing death toll among women and children.
He noted that these "crimes" underscore Israel's true nature and show how it is after pure "brutal" vengeance with no regard for international law or ethical obligations.
Nasrallah further claimed that some Israeli officials have pointed out that the Israeli operation in Gaza has a regional goal as well.
He explained that this "terror, torture, and brutality" is not only to avenge the Hamas attack but to make all the people in Palestine and Lebanon and the people of the region surrender and submit to the Israeli will to abandon their efforts to restore their rights.
Nasrallah said that such a goal will never be achieved by Israel despite all the pain they will inflict on Palestinians, reminding Israelis despite the many campaigns they have launched throughout their history, the Palestinians have never surrendered. "The [Palestinian] resistance grew bigger and bigger, generation after generation till it reached its peak through the heroic act carried out by the Al-Qassam Brigades of Gaza on October 7," he said, adding that the same applies to the resistance of the Lebanese people, citing the 1982 and 2006 wars with Israel.
"Did [the wars] manage to convince the Lebanese people to abandon resistance? On the contrary," he said, noting that the 1982 suicide attack by Qassir was a clear response to Israel that the Lebanese people will not surrender, as was evidenced in the Israeli withdrawals in 1985 and in 2000.
Criticizing Arab media outlets and journalists, he accused them of collaborating with Israel to fulfill its regional agenda by reinforcing the idea that there resistance bears no results.
"There are Arab writers who are unfortunately, intentionally or unintentionally, helping to achieve the 'Israeli' goals. However, this will also fail."
"Gaza Is Dealing A Great Blow To The Normalization [Efforts]"
Highlighting the impact of pro-Palestinian protests around the world, he said that international public opinion has changed and Israel's lies have been exposed. He added that the Israeli escalation in Gaza is dealing a great blow to normalization agreements, arguing that the Arab people opposed the normalization with Israel before the recent events and that they are now more determined than ever to reject such efforts regardless of what their rulers might say.
"Protests In The West Are Highly Important"
He noted that the protests around the world, particularly those in Washington, New York, London, Paris, and other western and European countries are highly important because they pressure the governments of the countries where they take place, adding that they serve the interests of the Resistance and the people in Gaza.
He claimed that many world leaders who initially extended support to Israel against Hamas are now calling for a ceasefire in Gaza except for "the American administration and its small British follower [i.e., UK]," he said.
Claiming that Washington is now "isolated" thanks to the pro-Palestinian protests, and that time is pressuring the Israeli "enemy" and those who are protecting it, he reiterated his accusation that the U.S. is empowering the Israeli military escalation, saying that "the one who can stop this aggression is the one who is supervising this aggression, that is, America."
Riyadh Summit Should Demand A Ceasefire
Commenting on the Riyadh Summit held today with the participation of 57 Arab and Muslim countries to discuss the events in Gaza, he called on them to demand a ceasefire, or at least to demand that border crossings be opened so that humanitarian aid can be sent to Gaza.
"Hamas' Bravery In Gaza"
Discussing the second significant developments in Gaza, he praised the Hamas fighters, saying that despite the psychological impact of the war, they are showing exceptional bravery. Though Israeli elite forces are participating in the escalation, they failed to make any significant progress against the mujahideen, he noted. Since the first day of the war on Gaza, the Israelis have failed to offer a single image of victory against Hamas, he argued.
Attacks By Yemen's Houthis
He praised Yemen's Ansar Allah, the Houthis, citing their claimed missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets, noting that some Arab countries may have helped in intercepting them. The "blessed" operations of the "Yemeni forces" led to more pressure on the Israeli government through the displacement of settlers, he added. He further said what Yemen has done has forced the Israeli enemy to transfer part of its air defense, including the Iron Dome and Patriot missile systems, from southern and northern Palestine to Eilat.
Attacks By Islamic Resistance In Iraq
Nasrallah praised the attacks claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq against U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, emphasizing that they are in support of the Palestinians, noting that before the October 7 Hamas attack, the group had ceased attacks on U.S. targets.
However, he acknowledged that the recent attacks by Iraqis serve the idea of liberating Iraq and Syria from the American military presence.
Boasting about these attacks, he cited Pentagon statements that acknowledged yesterday that at least 46 attacks in which 56 American soldiers were injured had been executed against U.S. bases. He mocked U.S. statements that identified some injuries as "concussions," saying that such a diagnosis means these soldiers are now "out of service."
Defiance Of U.S. Warning
He claimed that the Americans have threatened the resistance in Yemen and in Iraq and had threatened Hizbullah in Lebanon through several channels, despite the claims of the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon having denied these claims. "She is either a liar or ignorant" he said.
"Syria's Embraces Resistance Fighters"
Speaking about the Syria's role in the ongoing events, he said: "Syria bears a very large burden. In addition to its solid clear decisive political position, it embraces, despite its difficult situation, resistance fighters and movements and bears the consequences," saying attacks against Israel usually trigger an Israeli response on Syrian targets such as airports.
He said a drone attack on Eilat, which was acknowledged by Israel, was answered with an attack on Syria under the pretext that the drone attack was by Hizbullah forces based in Syria.
Defending Syria, he said one should not expect more from the Syrian government or people, noting that they are under difficult economic and military conditions, especially as they remain engaged in a battle with the "U.S.-backed" Islamic State (ISIS).
"Iran Will Remain The Protector Of The Resistance"
Praising Iran's support to the resistance factions in the region, he said: "If the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine or any resistance movement in the region has power […] it is because of Iran's support," which he said includes economic and military support.
He cited the slain IRGC General Qassem Soleimani as an example of the long years of such Iranian support for the resistance groups in the region.
"[Iran] did not spare any weapons, money, experience, training, or consultation to the resistance movement," he said.
He further said that Iran "does not decide on behalf of the resistance movements but will remain its protector and supporter forever."
Hizbullah Performance Over The Week
Discussing Hizbullah's performance since the beginning of the recent conflict, he said that the performance of the resistance has escalated in the number and type of attacks over the past week, stressing that Israel is "trying to conceal its losses."
"We used suicide drones for the first time in Lebanon's history as well as the heavy-caliber Burkan rockets, which weigh up to half a ton."
He further added that his organization's fighters had quickly responded to the brutal killing of civilians in Ainata through the shelling of Kiryat Shmona" with Katyusha rockets. He noted that the Israeli attack on Ainata had targeted a family of a grandmother and her three granddaughters.
He revealed that among the attacks not announced before, "we are sending surveillance drones into the north of Occupied Palestine on a daily basis and some of them are reaching Haifa, Acre, and beyond, bringing back the required imaging." He further claimed that Hizbullah is sending drones for attack purposes, even though such attacks and operations are not mentioned in the group's daily claims of attacks.
Raising Israeli concerns is a goal for Hizbullah, he said, adding that the latter will continue to escalate its attacks against Israel, pledging that the Lebanese front will remain a pressure front.
"The battlefield will tell, and victory is inevitably coming," he concluded.
[1] X, Al-Manar TV, November 11, 2023.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM report, Hizbullah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Praises Hamas Attacks On Israel, Denies Involvement In Planning, Salutes Attacks By Houthis And Iraqi Militias On U.S. And Israeli Targets, Warns Israel Against Striking Lebanon; Stresses Hizbullah Is Already Part Of The Battle, November 3, 2023.
[3] A battle in 680 CE in which Imam Husayin who is the third among the 12th Imams who are revered by Shiites was killed.
