BEIRUT: The leader of Hezbollah warned Israel Saturday his fighters would hit Tel Aviv with rockets if Israeli forces attack Beirut or the guerrillas' stronghold in its southern suburbs.
Speaking on the anniversary of the end of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah said his fighters are now capable of striking any Israeli city.
Nasrallah's speech added to the tension of back-and-forth warnings between Hezbollah and Israel that have escalated since a July 14 explosion at a suspected Hezbollah arms depot near the Israeli border.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would hold the Lebanese government responsible for any attacks on Israeli targets by Hezbollah. He warned Lebanon against letting Hezbollah join the new government.
Nasrallah, appearing on a giant screen from his hiding place, addressed thousands of supporters waving yellow Hezbollah flags who gathered for the rally in south Beirut.
He said recent Israeli warnings against Lebanon do not signal that Israel is planning to attack soon.
He said the Israeli warnings were part of a "psychological war" aimed at preventing the group from joining a new Lebanese unity government, whose formation has been stalled since the June 7 election.
"Today we are capable of striking any city or village in Israel," Nasrallah told the crowd. He promised "surprises" if Israel launches a new war on Lebanon. He did not elaborate.
"It is our right to make (Israel) understand that if it bombs Beirut or the southern suburbs, we will strike Tel Aviv," Nasrallah said, drawing the cheers of supporters.
