Hamas chief Yehya Sinwar has thanked the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for his group’s support in the conflict with Israel.
Sinwar said,”Your blessed actions have expressed your solidarity on the fronts of the Axis of Resistance, supporting and engaging in the battle.”
This is the first reported message since Yehya Sinwar became Hamas leader in August.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah has been waging attacks on Israel for nearly a year in a conflict across the Lebanese-Israeli border.
This conflict is taking place in parallel to the Gaza war.
Hezbollah says its attacks aim to support the Palestinians.
Hamas Chief Not Seen In Public
Sinwar has not made a public appearance since the October 7 attack.
Besides, he is running the war from tunnels beneath Gaza, according to commonly held belief.
A Congratulatory Letter To The Algerian President
Sinwar is reported to have sent a letter the second time this week.
Hamas said on Tuesday he had sent one congratulating Algerian President Abdulmadjid Tebboune on his reelection.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah is the most powerful faction in an alliance of Iran-backed groups known as the Axis of Resistance.
Notably, these groups entered the fray in support of Hamas during the Gaza war.
In the early days of the conflict, former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal hinted at frustration over the scale of Hezbollah’s intervention.
He also thanked the group but said that “the battle requires more”.
Hezbollah Fighters Killed Last Year
Israel has killed around 500 Hezbollah fighters, including its top military commander Fuad Shukr, over the last year.
The toll exceeds Hezbollah’s losses in its 2006 war with Israel.
No Clue About The October 7 Attack Planned by Sinwar
Hezbollah has said it had no advance knowledge of the October 7 attack, which Sinwar helped plan.
Sinwar also thanked Nasrallah for a condolence letter on the death of the former Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh.
Ismail was killed in Tehran in July, in an assassination believed to have been carried out by Israel.
Risk Of Escalation
The risk of escalation has loomed large.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israeli forces are near to fulfilling their mission in Gaza.
Yoav said that they Israeli forces will turn their focus to the Lebanon border.
Resolution Of Conflict
Israeli leaders have said they would prefer to resolve the conflict through an agreement that would push Hezbollah away from the border.
Moreover, Hezbollah has said that it will continue fighting as long as the Gaza war continues.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
