The Hezbollah leader's discourse suggests a faction increasingly pushed towards covert operations.
The second indication was that Nasrallah's speech –marking his first in person since two rounds of attacks exploded hundreds of Hezbollah communication devices within the past week– might have been pre-recorded.
The commander of the powerful terrorist organization hasn't delivered an in-person speech since the initiation of Lebanon's full-scale conflict with Israel in 2006. Yet, he often takes measures to authenticate that his broadcasts are being aired live. For instance, during his speech last month, Nasrallah made reference to the two supersonic booms resulting from Israeli jets breaking the sound barrier over Beirut. These events occurred momentarily prior to the commencement of his speech.
Thursday's broadcast was announced as live, but viewers started to have doubts around the 20-minute mark, following Israel's deployment of flares over Beirut and the subsequent sonic booms that jarred the city. Despite the intense noise, Nasrallah showed no reaction and did not mention the incident during his address.
Israel's aircraft seemingly aimed to emphasize the success of Tuesday and Wednesday's attacks on Hezbollah's communication devices, as they seemed to have pushed the group deeper into hiding.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, we have endured a substantial setback," declared Nasrallah in his speech on Thursday. "This is an unprecedented event in the history of the resistance in Lebanon, as well as in Lebanon's history at large. It may also be an unprecedented development in the history of confrontations with the Israeli enemy throughout the region."
Thousands of small explosions shook the possessions and abodes of Hezbollah members during the previous few days, targeting pagers on Tuesday and walkie-talkies on Wednesday. In total, the detonations resulted in at least 37 fatalities, including some children, as well as nearly 3000 injuries. The operation, characterized by its eeriness and scale, took Hezbollah by surprise, given its preference for analog communication technologies to avoid Israeli infiltration by using cell phones.
Nasrallah promised retribution but did not provide specifics. The attack "will be answered with an appropriate response and appropriate punishment, in ways they anticipate and do not anticipate," he stated.
Yet, he continued with a noticeably subdued tone. "As this battle was conducted by invisible forces, allow me to modify my approach," he said.
"The response will be forthcoming. Its nature, scope, timing, and location... these are things we will keep to ourselves," he added. "Within our tightest inner circle, even within ourselves, because we are currently in the most precise, sensitive, and deeply significant part of the battle."
Nasrallah attempted to lighten the somber speech by highlighting the purported tactical gains of nearly a year of confrontations with Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border. He also pledged to continue targeting Israeli positions until the Israeli offensive in Gaza came to a close.
"We've been saying this for 11 months; we might be repeating ourselves, but this statement comes after these two major setbacks, following all these martyrs, injuries, and distress," Nasrallah stated definitively. "I repeat unequivocally: no matter the sacrifices, consequences, or future scenarios, the resistance in Lebanon will continue to support Gaza."
In response to Israeli threats of establishing a safety buffer zone in the Lebanese-Israeli border region, Nasrallah adopted a confrontational stance, showing his eagerness for Israeli soldiers to enter the region, where Hezbollah militants would seize the opportunity to counterattack.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, people are still grappling with the attacks that swamped hospitals with wounded individuals, primarily those suffering from deep flesh wounds to the eyes and face.
Following the attacks, Hezbollah is likely to retreat further into secrecy and regroup its strategies. During the 2006 conflict, Al-Manar television remained operational throughout the 34-day conflict, despite Israel's intense bombardment.
Live broadcasts have always been regarded as a symbol of defiance against Israeli espionage by Hezbollah, and their ability to continue broadcasting under such adversity had been a source of pride for the organization. However, this week's attacks on the group's communication devices have shattered their aura of invincibility. Hezbollah –which translates to “Party of God”– has been forced to confront the reality of its increased vulnerability.
The controversy surrounding Nasrallah's speech led some analysts to question Hezbollah's capabilities in the Middle East, given the world's keen interest in the group's actions. Despite the setbacks, Hezbollah remains a significant player in regional politics, influencing events in the Middle East and beyond.
