Netanyahu rationalizes the elimination of Hezbollah's leader
Following the brutal demise of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, there's apprehension in the Western world about potential retaliation from Tehran. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled Nasrallah as "settling scores with a mass murderer." He further depicted Nasrallah as the epitome of terrorism, stating, "He wasn't just any terrorist, but the terrorists' terrorist." This was his first public speech after the Israeli military took down the Lebanese Shiite leader in Beirut on a Friday.
Netanyahu considered Nasrallah as a sort of boost for the "axis of evil" engineered by Iran. The Hezbollah leader was believed to be responsible for the deaths of numerous Israelis, hundreds of Americans, and dozens of French. According to Netanyahu, as long as Nasrallah was alive, Hezbollah would swiftly regain the military capabilities that Israel had neutralized. Therefore, he gave the orders, and Nasrallah is no longer amongst us.
The elimination of Nasrallah also signifies progress towards the ambition of bringing back tens of thousands of Israelis to the country's north, stated Netanyahu. He explained that these civilians had to flee their homes due to the constant barrage of rockets, grenades, and drones from Hezbollah, which began around the start of the Gaza war more than a year ago. Hezbollah asserts that such actions are in solidarity with the Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Notice to the Ayatollahs
Concurrently, Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran, cautioning them against attacking Israel. "And to the regime of the Ayatollahs, I say: whoever attacks us, we will retaliate. There's no sanctuary in Iran or the Middle East that Israel's far reach cannot reach," Netanyahu warned.
Iran, governed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is perceived as Hezbollah's chief patron and most significant ally. After Nasrallah's death in an Israeli airstrike in a Beirut suburb, Iran declared a state of mourning. The air strike on Friday also claimed the life of Iranian brigadier general Abbas Nilforushan, the deputy commander for operations of the Revolutionary Guard.
However, it's unclear whether Iran will come to Hezbollah's aid. The newly-elected Iranian government led by President Massoud Peseschkian is grappling with a severe economic crisis and is seeking reconciliation with the West. Despite Iran's military leadership declaring retaliation after the assassination of Hamas' external chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July, it hasn't been implemented yet.
Following Netanyahu's warning to the Ayatollahs, there's concern in Iran about escalating the 'War with Israel'. If Iran retaliates against Israel, Netanyahu threatened, Israel's military reach would extend to any sanctuary within Iran or the Middle East, reiterating his stance from his public speech.
