'You Can Kill Revolutionary, Not the...': Lebanon Envoy to India Cites Gandhi Amid Middle East War

New Delhi: As Israel continues to cripple Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah by killing its top leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah and his potential successors, Lebanon's Ambassador to India Rabie Narsh cited Mahatma Gandhi's words and said that the group "cannot be crushed by eliminating its leaders."

News agency PTI quoted the ambassador as saying, “I am reminded of Mahatma Gandhi's words: You can kill a revolutionary, but you cannot kill the revolution. You can eliminate the leaders of Hezbollah, but you cannot eliminate Hezbollah, because it is the people on the ground. It is not an imaginary structure that came to Lebanon by parachute.”

Narsh added that Hezbollah personifies a movement against the "rogue state" of Israel.

His statement comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , in a video message, said his country's forces have effectively targeted and eliminated likely successors to the slain Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Notably, Hezbollah formally took shape in 1985 to resist the "Israeli invasion of Lebanon".

"Hezbollah operates within the established political system in Lebanon. They are a political party, represented in both the cabinet and the parliament," the ambassador said, noting that Hezbollah also has an armed wing.

The Lebanese envoy further mentioned that the war waged by Israel, involving advanced weaponry and banned munitions, has claimed over 2,100 lives, left 11,000 injured, and forced over 2.2 million individuals to flee their homes, creating a dire humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. He also expressed concerns over the rising likelihood of widening of the conflict.

"The situation is escalating and spiralling toward what may become an all-out regional war. Unfortunately, we are facing this troubling stage of conflict because Israel has not been held accountable for its criminal policies, war crimes, and expansionist actions against its neighbours," the ambassador further said.

‘Netanyahu Out of Control’: Lebanon Urges India to Pressurize Israel to Follow International Laws

The Lebanese envoy said Lebanon has been calling on world capitals, including New Delhi, since October last year to prevent the conflict from intensifying into a regional war.

Amid a surge in Israeli attacks, French President Emmanuel Macron last week announced that France will host an international conference this month to raise humanitarian aid for Lebanon and improve security in its southern regions.

"We are currently organising medical supplies to Lebanon from India, including medicines and medical equipment," the ambassador said.

Additionally, Narsh urged India to exert more pressure on Israel to act in accordance with international laws and UN resolutions.

"Netanyahu is out of control, engaged in killing and a destruction spree, which is very dangerous. Someone has to stop Netanyahu," he furer added.