CITIZENS NEWS

Iran has warned Israel about a possible "preemptive action" once the latter attacks Gaza. "The possibility of preemptive action by the resistance axis is expected in the coming hours," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a live TV broadcast on October 16. Moreover, Amir-Abdollahian said in a separate statement that "the resistance leaders" will not allow Israel to do whatever it wants in Gaza. "If we don't defend Gaza today, tomorrow we have to defend against these (phosphorus) bombs in the children's hospital of our own country," he added. Hezbollah, a pro-Palestinian militant group in Lebanon, has also declared its readiness to join Hamas and other Palestinian groups in their ongoing conflict against Israel. (Related: Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah ready to “join the battle” in Gaza, warns Hamas leader.) Lebanese Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem promised that Hezbollah would fully participate "when the time comes for action." "The behind-the-scenes calls with us by great powers, Arab countries, envoys of the United Nations, directly and indirectly telling us not to interfere will have no effect. Hezbollah knows its duties perfectly well. We are prepared and ready, fully ready, and we are following developments moment by moment," Qassem stated as he addressed supporters in a Beirut suburb. Qassem went on to clarify the role of Hezbollah in the ongoing conflict. "The question being asked, which everyone is waiting for, is what Hezbollah will do and what will its contribution be? We will contribute to the confrontation within our plan — when the time comes for any action, we will carry it out."