Israeli sources: Nasrallah's speech "unsurprising," "clearly admits failure"

Israeli sources speaking to Israel Hayom said that they were unimpressed with Hassan Nasrallah's speech today (Thursday), in which the Hezbollah leader attempted to remain defiant and sound unbowed following the mass explosion of pagers and walkie talkies among his ranks.

The sources said that "his words are unsurprising. It's clear he admits failure. The war aim in the north which entered into the list of goals is having effect."

With IDF planes flying low over Beirut in a show of strength, Hezbollah leader is giving a defiant speech today acknowledging the blow suffered by his organization in the mass explosion of beepers and walkie talkies but refusing to give up military support for Hamas in Gaza.

In addressing the mass attack Tuesday and Wednesday, Nasrallah said that "we have undoubtedly suffered a great blow, an unprecedented blow in Lebanon and in the conflict with the enemy."

He said that the attack was meant to kill thousands in minutes without distinction and that "you can call this a declaration of war."

Despite all this, the Hezbollah leader remained defiant in favor of continuing the border war in support of Hamas in Gaza: "The Lebanese front will not stop until the war stops in Gaza. No matter what happens. We will not stop serving as a supporting front."