Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah boasted that a large-scale attack on Israel, involving hundreds of rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) successfully targeted multiple military bases on Sunday. The operation, named "Arbain," (referring to the holiday that began on Sunday in Shiite Islam) was carried out in retaliation for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in late July. Nasrallah claimed the attack successfully reached its objectives, while Israel reported intercepting thousands of projectiles and destroying launch sites.
In his opening remarks, Nasrallah stated: "Israel crossed all red lines when it attacked Dahieh [Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut where Shukr was assassinated] and killed civilians, including senior commander Fuad Shukr. It's natural for the resistance to announce its response to this attack. Israel is responsible for the escalation on Lebanon's southern border."
Nasrallah claimed that Hezbollah aimed to strike the Glilot base, a primary target of "Israeli intelligence." According to him, the response included 300 katyusha rockets fired at several bases, sites, and military outposts to engage the Iron Dome system for several minutes, allowing UAVs to penetrate towards the Glilot base. "Our intelligence indicates that many of the UAVs reached their target. In any case, the coming days will reveal what truly transpired."
He continued, saying that "the UAVs also reached Ein Shemer base, which was another primary target." Nasrallah asserted that "we achieved and surpassed our objectives. We planned to launch 300 rockets, but we fired 340. We had no intention of using strategic (precision) missiles at this time, but we may deploy them in the future and the near future. None of our precision missiles were hit. The targets struck in Lebanon were in empty valleys or areas evacuated of such missiles." He also declared that "the army's claim, endorsed by Netanyahu, about destroying thousands of rockets is false."
Video: IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari speaks about the operation / Credit: IDF
He added, "If the outcome is satisfactory and the intended goal is achieved, then our response is complete. If the result falls short, we reserve the right to respond at another time. Our action today may significantly benefit Palestinian and Arab parties in negotiations. Its message is clear to Israel and the Americans – any hope of silencing the support fronts is misguided. What we initiated 11 months ago, we will finish – regardless of the sacrifice," Nasrallah emphasized.
Nasrallah referred to the terror organization's "operation" as "Arbain," meaning the fortieth day, referring to the Shiite holiday that began on Sunday night.
The terror organization leader then explained the "delay" in the group's response to Shukr's killing: "One reason was the need to allow time for consultation on whether the response would be through the axis or independently. We also had to wait patiently to provide an opportunity for negotiations because the goal of the entire front and the sacrifices was to halt the war."
The Israeli Air Force thwarted thousands of rockets and UAVs aimed at Israel starting from 5 a.m.. The operation was executed, among other means, through strikes by approximately 100 aircraft. An intention to launch hundreds of UAVs and rockets towards targets in northern and central Israel was also identified, and additional launchers were destroyed.
