Republican Senate Leader: Hezbollah is the 'most malignant form of cancer' of Iranian influence in the Middle East

Following Israel's 'preemptive' strike on Hezbollah positions on Sunday morning, Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader in the Senate, issued a statement calling for expedited U.S. aid to Israel. McConnell described Iran's 'violent influence' in the Middle East as a 'cancer' and labeled Hezbollah as the 'most malignant form of this cancer,' adding that the leader of Hezbollah bears 'responsibility for the ongoing suffering in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.' According to the Republican minority leader in the U.S. Senate, 'Iran-backed terrorism once again highlights America's urgent responsibility to expedite aid to Israel without warning or prudent management.' McConnell further urged all countries concerned about violence and instability in the Middle East to hold the Iranian government accountable. He emphasized, 'As long as Tehran is not faced with meaningful consequences, it is foolish to expect a reduction in its deadly and destabilizing influence.' In a further step to change the situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday regarding Israel's 'preemptive' attack on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, 'This is not the end of the story.' Netanyahu clarified, 'Hezbollah intended to attack Israel with rockets and drones. We ordered the Israeli army to carry out a strong and preemptive attack to eliminate this threat.' He noted that 'the Israeli army destroyed thousands of short-range rockets, all of which aimed to harm our citizens and forces in the Galilee.' Netanyahu added, 'In addition, the Israeli army destroyed all the drones that Hezbollah had fired towards strategic targets in the center of the country.' Reminding of the deadly attack on Foad Shakir in previous weeks, he stated that Israel would deliver 'surprising and crushing blows' to Hezbollah. The Israeli Prime Minister warned the leaders of the Iranian government and Hezbollah: 'Nasrallah in Beirut and Khamenei in Tehran must know that this is another step towards changing the situation in the north [of Israel] and safely returning our citizens to their homes.' Netanyahu had earlier stated, 'This morning we identified Hezbollah's preparations for an attack on Israel. In consultation with the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, we ordered the army to act actively to neutralize this threat.' He further mentioned, 'Since then, the Israeli army has been actively working to neutralize threats. Thousands of rockets aimed at the north of the country have been destroyed, and many other threats have also been neutralized with force - both in defense and in attack.' The Prime Minister added, 'We are determined to do whatever it takes to protect our country, return the residents of the north safely to their homes, and continue to follow a simple rule: whoever harms us, we will harm them.' Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House stated that President Joe Biden is 'carefully monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon.' Sean South said, 'Biden has been in contact with his national security team throughout the night. At his direction, senior U.S. officials have been in continuous contact with their Israeli counterparts.' According to South, the U.S. will continue to support Israel's right to defend itself and will continue efforts for regional stability. Hours earlier, Hezbollah announced that it had fired over 320 rockets towards its targeted bases and locations in Israel. Israeli media also reported that the military had targeted and destroyed launchers that were supposed to be fired at Israel at 5 a.m. on Sunday, September 4. Reports indicate that these preemptive strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon began shortly before 5 a.m. Hezbollah claimed in its statement that it targeted 11 military bases in northern Israel, and one of the videos released on social media shows a Hezbollah drone hitting a highway in northern Israel. This rocket fire occurred while Hezbollah had previously announced that it was responding to the killing of Foad Shakir, its senior commander, in last month's Israeli military attack. Jordanian airlines canceled their flights to Beirut. The Egyptian President warned about escalating tensions in the region during a meeting with the senior U.S. military commander. Netanyahu warned about the 'preemptive attack' on Hezbollah: Nasrallah and Khamenei should know this is another step to change the situation. The Israeli army neutralized Hezbollah's attempt to fire 'hundreds of rockets and drones at the center and north' of the country. Despite today's Hezbollah attacks, the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet are going to Cairo for negotiations. Hezbollah's rocket fire; the Israeli army says it has responded to the attacks; the White House: the President is carefully monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon. Netanyahu: whoever harms us, we will harm them.