November
4, 2023
The
expectations for Hizbullah leader Hasan Nasrallah’s speech on Friday were very
high; even the U.S. National Security Council’s spokesperson at the White House
admitted that they too were awaiting the speech. In the Arab world there was
anticipation or a general wish that Nasrallah would declare an official entry
into the larger war, thereby igniting a regional conflict that would change the
shape of the Middle East.
Hizbullah,
unwisely, increased expectations by releasing video teasers showing Nasrallah
walking or seated. Israelis and much of the world were holding their breaths.
Lebanese were nervous but hopeful that Nasrallah would take their plight into
consideration.
Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike
on the El-Remal aera in Gaza City on October 9, 2023. (Naaman Omar
apaimages/Wikimedia Commons)
