Hezbollah has dismissed demands from international mediators to refrain from retaliating against an expected Israeli strike in response to a fatal rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, according to a spokesperson from the Lebanese group on Tuesday.
Hezbollah, which denies any involvement in the strike that occurred on Saturday, has communicated to the intermediaries that it will indeed retaliate to any Israeli aggression, the spokesperson stated in written remarks delivered to journalists. The spokesperson did not specify which nations the mediators were representing.
A diplomatic initiative spearheaded by the United States has sought to limit Israel's reaction to the Golan Heights attack, which resulted in the deaths of 12 young people. Both Israel and the U.S. have accused Iranian-backed Hezbollah for the attack, with Israel promising a robust response.
Diplomats have advised Israel against targeting Beirut, the Lebanese capital, its southern suburbs which are the core of Hezbollah's stronghold, or significant infrastructure, according to five individuals familiar with the efforts who spoke to Reuters. They are hopeful that by restricting Israel's response, a powerful retaliation from Hezbollah can be prevented.
"International envoys are subtly suggesting to us that we should not retaliate to the anticipated aggression under the guise of preventing escalation and moving towards a full-scale war," the Hezbollah spokesperson commented. Hezbollah has "made it clear to them our outright refusal of this proposal" and will retaliate, the spokesperson affirmed.
The group takes Israel's threats seriously and is ready, although it does not anticipate a ground incursion, the spokesperson noted. Hezbollah also mentioned that the mediators had relayed diplomatic efforts urging Israel to avoid harming civilians and civilian structures in any military operation. "This is positive, but we cannot trust our adversary," the spokesperson concluded.
