“We have not sought escalations until now, we have been fighting in support of Gaza but keeping in mind the Lebanese national interest. Every time one of our commanders was killed, our response was heightened but always measured. But an assassination of a top leader in the Dahia [Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut] must be treated differently. Our response is coming, God willing, from us and the axis of resistance — and it will be strong.”Emanuel Fabian, Times of Israel staff, Gianluca Pacchiani, and agencies, “Israeli jets set off sonic booms in Beirut as Nasrallah threatens ‘strong’ reprisal,” Times of Israel, August 6, 2024, https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-jets-set-off-sonic-booms-in-beirut-as-nasrallah-threatens-strong-reprisal/.

Following the July 30 assassination of Hezbollah commander Fu’ad Shukr:

“You will laugh a little and cry a lot, as you do not know which red lines you have crossed.”Don Jacobson, “Hezbollah leader vows retaliation against Israel at funeral of slain commander,” United Press International, August 1, 2024, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/08/01/lebanon-Hezbollah-leader-vows-retaliation-against-Israel-funeral-slain-commander/8231722547751/.

“From now on, if Israel attacks Iranian interests, figures and citizens anywhere, we will retaliate from Iran.”Susannah George, “Iran crosses old red lines and sets ‘new equation’ with attack on Israel,” Washington Post, April 14, 2024, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/14/iran-israel-attack-missiles-drones/.

“Based on our religious duty and principles, we believe that there is an inevitable confrontation with Israel. Therefore, we surely will take part in such a war against the Zionist entity alongside the other movements, on top of which is the Lebanese Hezbollah. If there had been a war between Hezbollah and Syria at one front and Israel at another front, we would be at the front of the Mujahideen who fight Israel in order to regain the rights of the Arab and Islamic nations.”“Iraq’s pro-Iran movement to take part in any war against Israel,” Middle East Monitor, November 28, 2019, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191128-iraqs-pro-iran-movement-to-take-part-in-any-war-against-israel/.

“We are busy in Lebanon, in Syria and probably in other places. But our utmost priority remains to stay ready to confront Israel.”“Nasrallah warns Israel against any "stupid" moves in Lebanon, Syria,” Al Akhbar, January 16, 2015, http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23240.

In reference to the EU’s appeal against the ruling that Hamas should be removed from the terror list: “[The EU appeal] reflects the European bias to the Israeli occupation and it provides the occupation with a legitimacy to kill Palestinian civilians.”“EU to Appeal Against Ruling that Hamas Should Be Off Terror List,” Irish Times, January 19, 2015, http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/eu-to-appeal-against-ruling-that-hamas-should-be-off-terror-list-1.2071714.

“[Israeli officials are] legitimate targets for the resistance.” “Hamas Says Israeli Leaders Are ‘Legitimate Targets’,” Times of Israel, November 21, 2014, http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-says-israeli-leaders-are-legitimate-targets/.

In reference to the November 18, 2014 terror attack at the Har Nof synagogue in Jerusalem in which four Jews and one Druze policeman were killed: “The operation in Jerusalem is a response to the murder of the martyr Yusuf Ramouni and to the series of crimes by the occupier at Al-Aqsa and Hamas calls to continue these operations. Hamas calls for more operations like it.” Lazar Berman, “Hamas spokesman said to have harassed female foreign reporter,” Times of Israel, December 7, 2014, http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-spokesman-said-to-have-harassed-female-foreign-reporter/.

“Fighting the Zionist regime (Israel) is a war of destiny.”“Leader Urges Palestinian Resistance Groups to Enhance Defense Capabilities,” Fars News Agency, October 16, 2014, http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930724000739.

In reference to the summer 2014 kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers: “Hamas praises the role martyrs Abu Aysha and Kawasme played in chasing down Israeli settlers and we stress that their assassination will not weaken the resistance.” Ali Sawafta, “Israel says its troops kill Hamas men accused of slaying teens,” Reuters, September 23, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/23/us-palestinians-israel-idUSKCN0HI09H20140923.