Thousands of people gathered in different areas of Lebanon on Friday to express their support for the Palestinian cause and the people of Gaza, denouncing the unabated Israeli strikes on the blockaded zone that have been ongoing for six consecutive days.
Supporters in Beirut, south Lebanon and the Bekaa responded to a call by Hamas and Hezbollah to gather after the Friday prayer. The most important gatherings took place in Downtown Beirut in front of the Al-Amin Mosque and the Mojtaba Mosque in Hadath near Beirut’s southern suburb, a Hezbollah hotbed. Palestinian, Lebanese and Hezbollah flags were raised by the crowds.
Addressing the rally in Hadath, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem said the Iran-backed Hezbollah would be “fully prepared” to join its ally Hamas in the war against Israel when the time is right.
“We, as Hezbollah, are contributing to the confrontation and will (continue) to contribute to it within our vision and plan,” Qassem told the pro-Palestinian rally.
“We are fully prepared, and when the time comes for action, we will take it,” he said.
The official, whose remarks coincided with a visit by Iran’s Foreign Minister to Beirut, rebuffed calls for Hezbollah to stay out of the war.
An outreach by “major countries, Arab countries and envoys from the United Nations, directly and indirectly, asking us not to interfere in the battle, will not affect us,” he said, adding that “Hezbollah knows its duties.”
Addressing the United States, Qassem said, “Your warships will not intimidate us, and we will be there to face you, so that the Resistance remains steadfast in this land.”
“They claim to be bombing Hamas positions, while 500 children and 250 women are among the martyrs. Where are the clashes with the fighters taking place?” Qassem added.
Israel has traded fire with Hezbollah and allied Palestinian factions in Lebanon in recent days, although the tit-for-tat attacks have remained limited.
