Beirut, Lebanon – Low-flying Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier twice over Beirut as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivered his first speech since two days of attacks saw pagers and walkie-talkie radios explode across Lebanon.The attacks – which killed Lebanese people, both Hezbollah members and civilians, including at least two children – came months after Nasrallah told supporters to stop using mobile phones because they might be compromised by Israel.
They also occurred amid escalating rhetoric from Israeli officials about intensifying operations on their northern front.
At least 37 people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday.
More than 600 have died since October 8 when Hezbollah and Israel began trading attacks across the border. More than 100 were civilians.
Hezbollah’s response
Nasrallah appeared fatigued at the start of his speech on Thursday as he acknowledged the severity of the damage.
He called the attacks that tried to take out 5,000 people simultaneously a “major terrorist operation, an act of genocide and massacre”.
He admitted it was a “major blow … unprecedented in the history of the resistance”, but his energy grew as he gave his address, which included some of his signature provocations against Israel, specifically its prime minister.
“[Benjamin] Netanyahu, … we welcome an invasion. … We consider it an opportunity,” he said.
Referring to Israel’s goal stated on Thurs …