From: Al Jazeera November 7, 2024 Hamas and Hezbollah still fighting -- ‘defeat’ for Israel
Iran’s Khamenei: Hamas and Hezbollah resistance means ‘defeat’ for Israel Khamenei said groups backed by Tehran have managed to increasingly repel Israel over nearly four decades in Gaza and Lebanon.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said the fact that Hamas and Hezbollah are still fighting in Gaza and Lebanon signifies a defeat for Israel.
Israel wished to uproot Hamas but “massacred people, showed its ugly face to the whole world, proved its malice, condemned and isolated itself”, he told a gathering of the top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, on Thursday.
The Iranian leader said Israel believed it could silence the Palestinian resistance by assassinating its top leaders, but “Hamas keeps fighting and this means defeat for the Zionist regime”.
Hezbollah not weakened Khamenei said for nearly 40 years, Hezbollah has driven Israel back from Lebanese territory in many incidents, including from Beirut, Sidon, Tyre, and ultimately from most of southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has transformed from “a small group” of fighters to a “massive organisation” that has such power to turn back an opponent that is comprehensively backed by the “likes of America’s presidents”, he added.
Khamenei said people, including some inside Lebanon, are undermining Hezbollah, thinking it has been weakened after the killing of many of its top political and military leadership.
“They are wrong, they are delusional, Hezbollah is strong and is fighting,” he said. “The organisation, with its men, its spiritual power and its will, is present. The enemy has not been able to overcome it.”
Operation True Promise 3 The comments come days after the Iranian leader promised a “tooth-crushing response” to Israel and the United States for the Israeli air raids against multiple Iranian provinces on October 26
US boost Washington has warned against what would become a third major Iranian attack on Israel, transferring advanced missile defence batteries and soldiers operating them to Israel.
The US Army has also significantly added to its military capabilities in the region, bringing in strategic bomber aircraft and fighter jets, missile batteries and warships.
