The powerful head of the Lebanese military group Hezbollah stopped short of announcing all-out war against Israel – but issued a volley of threats against Israel and the US in his first speech since the 7 October atrocities.
Fervent Hezbollah supporters in Beirut shouted slogans, waved Palestinian flags and professed adulation for their leader Hassan Nasrallah as they watched him broadcasting from a secret location, with his image projected on a giant screen erected in the centre of Beirut.
The disgust and anger over the Israeli bombardment of Gaza is at fever pitch in Lebanon, and there was much hype over just what the Hezbollah chief was going to say.
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Hezbollah ‘ready for any possibility’
Although a divisive figure, Nasrallah is viewed as a hero among his followers and his voice carries much weight in the region.
Thousands gathered to see whether the country – already battered by economic difficulties and political instability – was going to be plunged into a violent regional war too.
Instead, the Hezbollah leader issued some strong warnings, declaring that Lebanon is already involved in the war.
“Some claim Hezbollah is about to join the fray. I tell you: We have been engaged in this battle since October 8,” he told the crowd.
“Some would like Hezbollah to engage in an all-out war, but I can tell you: what is happening now along the Israeli-Lebanese border is significant, and it is not the end.”
He went on to threaten the US and urged them to rein in Israel from inflicting more civilian casualties in Gaza.
“You, the Americans, can stop the aggression against Gaza because it is your aggression,” he said. “Whoever wants to prevent a regional war, and I am talking to the Americans, must quickly halt the aggression on Gaza.”