Hezbollah's Allies Say Lebanon Will Not Start War With Israel, But Will Defend Itself If Attacked

Hezbollah soldiers prepare armed drones. (Wikimedia Commons/Tasnim News Agency)

JAKARTA - Lebanese prominent Christian politician allied with Hezbollah said his country would not start a war with Israel, but would defend itself if attacked.

Comments by the Chairman of the Free Patriotic Movement, founded by former President Michel Aoun, Gebran Bassil were expressed as sporadic clashes continued on the border of the two countries, involving militant groups Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas.

"Nothing could drag us into the war unless Israeli enemies attacked us, and then we were forced to defend ourselves," Bassil said after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, another ally of Hezbollah, reported by The Times of Israel Oct. 24.

Basil added that he also spoke with Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah by telephone on Monday.

"All Lebanese people agree, they don't want war. But that doesn't mean we have to let ourselves be attacked without reply," he said.

It is known that armed clashes between Hezbollah and Israel in border areas took place almost every day, after the Hamas militant group carried out an attack on Israeli territory on 7 October.

In this regard, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF officials have warned Hezbollah not to engage in the conflict in Gaza, underscoring that it would harm Lebanon.

Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog assessed that Hezbollah played with Lebanon which would suffer the consequences.

However, President Herzog said Israel was not interested in confrontation on the northern border of its country, referring to its territory with Lebanon.

"We don't want a confrontation on our northern border or with anyone," said President Herzog.