Hezbollah leader threatens full-scale war without rules if Israel attacks

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah threatened a war "without rules or ceilings" if Israel proceeded with a full-scale offensive against the Lebanese militia. Nasrallah indicated that Cyprus could become a target if it permits Israel to use its territory for military purposes, escalating the already tense situation in the region, The Guardian reported.

Cyprus and Israel have a defence cooperation agreement, which has included joint military exercises. Nasrallah's comments suggest that any Cypriot assistance to Israel would make Cyprus a participant in the conflict.

In response, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the country's non-involvement in military conflicts, highlighting Cyprus's role in facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and asserting its commitment to peace and stability. Christodoulides also stated that the threats would be addressed diplomatically.

Nasrallah's remarks followed Israeli generals' announcement of plans for a broader offensive against Hezbollah and Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz hinting at a possible expansion of the conflict.

Speaking at a memorial for senior Hezbollah commander Taleb Sami Abdallah, who Israel killed, Nasrallah underscored Hezbollah's ongoing support for Hamas in Gaza and its success in engaging Israeli forces in the north.

Hezbollah's leader detailed the group's intelligence capabilities, showcasing drone surveillance footage of Haifa and claiming extensive surveillance of strategic locations in Israel. Nasrallah asserted that Hezbollah is prepared for the worst-case scenario, boasting of over 100,000 fighters ready for combat.

The conflict has seen significant escalation since October 8, with recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killing three Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets at an Israeli army base near Kiryat Shmona, igniting several fires. The intensifying exchanges have raised fears of a wider war, particularly following the killing of Abdallah, which led to Hezbollah launching a heavy barrage of munitions against Israel.

The ongoing violence has caused significant devastation in southern Lebanon, with reports indicating 1,700 houses completely destroyed and 14,000 suffering partial damage. The humanitarian impact is growing, as the conflict shows no signs of abating.

Amid the escalating tensions, Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, returned to Israel after meetings in Lebanon aimed at defusing the conflict. However, there has been no indication of progress in these diplomatic efforts. The potential for a regional conflict looms large, with concerns that a full-scale war could have far-reaching implications.

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes and clashes with Palestinian militants continue, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The conflict, now in its ninth month, has drawn international criticism, particularly over the U.S.'s support for Israel's military actions.

The UN's top court has raised concerns about a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel denies, attributing civilian casualties to Hamas's tactics of operating within civilian populations.