Jerusalem [Israel], July 18: Hezbollah has warned it will find new targets for its rocket attacks should Israeli attacks continue to "target" civilians in Lebanon.
Hassan Nasrallah, the Lebanese armed group's leader, delivered the threat during a televised address on Wednesday. His words increase concern that the low-level conflict that Israel and the Iran-aligned group have pursued since the start of the war in Gaza could escalate towards a full-scale war.
Noting that eight non-combatants were killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon in recent days, Nasrallah said that more civilian bloodshed would see Hezbollah fire at new Israeli towns. "Continuing to target civilians will push the Resistance to launch missiles at settlements that were not previously targeted," he said in an address to mark the largely Shia holy day Ashura.
Five civilians, including three children, were killed in Israeli raids in Lebanon on Tuesday. At least three Lebanese civilians were killed the day before, according to state media and security sources.
Israel has said it is striking Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in Lebanon and does not target civilians.
Its attacks have killed more than 500 people in Lebanon since October 7. Most casualties have been Hezbollah fighters, but more than 100 civilians are also reported to have died.
The deaths of children, who were reportedly playing in front of their home when the Israeli attack rained down on Tuesday, have attracted significant criticism.
The UN children's agency, UNICEF, described as the incident as "horrific".
"More children are at risk as long as the violence continues," the agency said in a post on X, noting they must be protected under international law.
Nasrallah on Wednesday reiterated a vow that Hezbollah would keep up the fight, insisting that Israel is on its heels after 10 months of grinding war in Gaza.
He played down Israel's ability to fight a full-scale war on its northern front, saying its military capabilities had been degraded in Gaza.
Source: Qatar Tribune