A week after the killing of Hezbollah's military chief, Fouad Shukr, a memorial rally was held in Lebanon where the organization's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, spoke and warned: "Haifa residents should prepare for any scenario."
Nasrallah further stated in his speech: "The assassination of Shukr is an Israeli achievement, but it is not a victory in the war; Israel's situation is still difficult." He added that Israel’s call for help from the United States, European countries, and Arab states to protect it from Iranian retaliation and the Axis states indicates that its power has diminished.
Nasrallah addressed the UAV strikes, saying: "We continue on the battlefield as you can see. Despite all Israeli preparations and readiness, our UAVs managed to reach as far as Akko today." He continued: "For those asking, our actions so far are not a response to the assassination of Fouad Shukr. The waiting of the Israeli public, which has been on edge for a week, is part of the punishment for the assassination."
In conclusion, Nasrallah said: "Our response to the assassination is on its way. It could be separate or in conjunction with the entire Axis of Resistance. We have not escalated the campaign in recent months, but an attack on the Dahiyeh neighbourhood is not the same thing. Israel has escalated, and it is inconceivable that we will treat the attack on Dahiyeh like a routine strike. The response is on its way; we will wait for the forces on the ground."
Concurrently with Nasrallah's speech, residents in the north, especially those near the front line and up to Nahariya, were advised to reduce activities and stay close to protected spaces.
