Nasrallah: Israel's disappearance inevitable

Nasrallah threatens "war without preconditions;" promises retaliation for Mughniyeh assassination.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, AP
Nasrallah 224.88 (photo credit: Channel 1 [file])
Nasrallah 224.88
(photo credit: Channel 1 [file])
Hizbullah head Hassan Nasrallah on Friday said Israel's "disappearance" is an inevitable fact. "If Israel's attacks Lebanon again, we will wage war without any preconditions," Nasrallah said during a speech in Beirut in honor of Hizbullah arch-terrorist Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in Damascus earlier this month. "The disappearance of Israel is an inevitable fact. It is a historic process in the region which will come about over several years," he said. Nasrallah said Mughniyeh's death was a "pre-emptive" strike meant to set the stage for the assassination of more of Hizbullah's top leaders. "We consider Hajj Imad's assassination as a pre-emptive operation, not merely an act of revenge," the Shi'ite cleric added, using a title of respect for the slain commander reserved for Muslims who complete a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. According to Nasrallah, Hizbullah will not stay quiet following Mughniyeh's assassination. "There is no possibility that we will not respond to the murder of our loved and dear ones. We will not allow the enemy to continue and murder our commanders and dear ones." Nasrallah also said that Hizbullah has beaten Israel many times in the past, the most recent time being the Second Lebanon War. "We are ready for a new victory," he reiterated. "After their loss in the war of Tamuz [Second Lebanon War], Israel is getting ready for a new war. I don't mean to scare, but warn." "Your army and its tanks will be destroyed in the South and Israel will be without an army and then it will be no more," he added. Nasrallah threatened Israel with an "open war" last week after Mughniyeh's killing, a comment that has sparked criticism and fears at home and abroad. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have issued travel advisories to their citizens in Lebanon, and two French cultural centers were closed in the country this week. The Hizbullah leader sought to assuage domestic fears Friday, assuring foreigners in Lebanon that they were not the target for future attacks by saying "our enemy is Israel and our revenge is against Israel."