Hezbollah Leader Threatens War Against Cyprus Amid Rising Tensions with Israel

The leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has issued a stark warning to Cyprus amidst escalating tensions with Israel. Nasrallah threatened Cyprus with potential conflict if it allows Israel to utilize its military infrastructure to target Hezbollah, labeling such actions as an act of war.

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed organization, has been engaged in a series of clashes with Israel following an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. These clashes have seen Hezbollah launching rockets and drones into Israel, prompting retaliatory air strikes by the Israeli military that have resulted in casualties within Hezbollah’s ranks, including a top commander.

Israel’s military spokesperson has raised concerns about a possible wider escalation, highlighting the severe repercussions such a scenario could entail for the region.

The distance between Cyprus and the Lebanese coastline is approximately 250 kilometers. In recent years, Nicosia and Tel Aviv have bolstered their defense cooperation, conducting joint military exercises and entering into arms procurement agreements, despite Cyprus not being a member of NATO.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides responded to Nasrallah’s threats by emphasizing Cyprus’ commitment to peace and stability. Christodoulides highlighted Cyprus’ humanitarian efforts, including the establishment of a humanitarian corridor that has been recognized globally, particularly in the Arab world.

In his remarks, Christodoulides reiterated that Cyprus remains uninvolved in any military conflicts, positioning itself as a proponent of solutions rather than problems. He confirmed Cyprus’ diplomatic communication channels with both the Lebanese and Iranian governments.

Notably, Nasrallah had previously called for Lebanon to ‘open the sea’ for Syrian migrants to reach Cyprus, the European Union country closest to the Middle East, underscoring potential geopolitical complexities in the region.