Hezbollah warns Israel: our patience may run out soon
- Hezbollah leader Qassem Naim warned that the group's patience may run out during or after a current 60-day ceasefire.
- The ceasefire is set to end in late January, coinciding with the inauguration of Donald Trump.
- Hezbollah's potential resumption of hostilities raises concerns of escalating violence in the region.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah's new leader, Qassem Naim, delivered a stern warning about the potential resumption of hostilities against Israel. Speaking during a televised address on Saturday evening, Naim mentioned the ongoing ceasefire set to expire in late January, just before the inauguration of incoming president-elect Donald Trump. As tensions mount, he indicated that Hezbollah's patience may wear thin at any point during or after this 60-day truce. Naim emphasized that there is no specific timetable for their operations against Israel, linking their actions to the right moment for confrontation. Hezbollah has faced significant setbacks in prior conflicts with Israel, particularly during the recent war marked by unprecedented beeper explosions that severely impacted its capabilities. Naim remarked on the resilience of Hezbollah fighters during clashes, noting that, unlike past engagements where Israeli forces swiftly advanced into Beirut, they were now unable to make significant territorial gains. This ongoing conflict has put both military and civilian infrastructures in southern Lebanon at risk. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli operations continued in the southern region, including airstrikes aimed at dismantling Hezbollah's operational networks. The growing concern among Israeli officials stemmed from Hezbollah's attempts to consolidate their forces in the area during the truce. Increasingly, the Israeli Defense Forces indicated that they might choose not to withdraw their troops following the ceasefire's expiration due to insufficient assurances from the Lebanese Army regarding the containment of Hezbollah. The uncertain situation could lead to a resurgence of violence, prompting fears of further escalation in an already volatile region. As Hezbollah considers its next moves, both sides remain in a delicate and tense standoff, with the outcome remaining uncertain as the expiration of the ceasefire looms in just a few weeks.