Nasrallah warned "all possibilities" were open in the fight against Israel [AFP]

 

Several rockets have been fired into northern Israel from neighbouring Lebanon, Israeli police say.

The suspected attacks on Thursday came after Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, warned that "all possibilities" are open against Israel as he gave a fiery speech in which he blasted Israel's offensive in Gaza and voiced support for Hamas.

No injuries were immediately reported in the rocket fire, Israeli police said.

The Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006 in which about 1,200 mostly Lebanese civilians were killed.

Lebanon is also home to thousands of Palestinian refugees.

Rula Amin, Al Jazeera's correspondent reporting from Beirut, said Lebanese security forces are confirming that "one or two rockets" have been fired from Lebanon intio Israel.

Jacky Rowland, reporting from southern Israel, said the firing of rockets from Lebanon is very significant.

"It could mean the opening of a second front," she said.

The rocket fire from Lebanon comes amid Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza.

Nasrallah speech

Addressing tens of thousands of supporters via video link at his stronghold in Beirut's suburbs, Nasrallah said on Wednesday: "I say to [Ehud] Olmert [Israel's prime minister], the loser, the vanquished in Lebanon that 'you cannot overcome Hamas or Hezbollah'."

The comments marked the first time he has spoken so openly on the possibility of a renewed conflict with Israel since the war in Gaza began on December 27.

Nasrallah warned that the 2006 conflict would be "but a walk in the park" compared to what awaits Israel if it launches a new offensive on Lebanon.

"We have to act as though all possibilities are real and open [against Israel] and we must always be ready for any eventuality." 

"We are ready to sacrifice our souls, our brothers and sisters, our children, our loved ones for what we believe in."

The Hezbollah leader also reiterated past criticism of Egypt for failing to open its border with Gaza and condemned the United Nation Security Council for not acting to denounce the Israeli offensive that has left more than 700 Palestinians dead.

"Does the government in Egypt need more than 650 victims and 2,500 wounded to open the Rafah crossing once and for all to help the people of Gaza toward victory?" Nasrallah said.

"I am simply asking for the opening of a crossing and not another front."