Hezbollah deputy leader sheikh Naim Qassem has ruled out a war with Israel, but says the movement is fully ready to repel any assault by the regime on the country. "We have an interest in adhering to resolution 1701, since it certainly preserves the achievements of the resistance [Hezbollah], and of Lebanon's forces," he told the Lebanese daily Al-Akbar on Sunday. UN Security Council resolution 1701 ended the 33-day Israeli war against the movement in southern Lebanon in the summer of 2006.
The deputy leader however warned Israel of a strong response should the regime wage a war against Lebanon "even tomorrow".
Qassem also dismissed accusations about rocket attacks on Israel from southern Lebanon".
In the latest incident, two rockets hit the Western Galilee area in northern Israel early in September.
Israel immediately fired 12 to 15 shells towards the sources that were firing the rockets. Tel Aviv holds the Lebanese government responsible for the attacks.