Tensions escalated further when Hezbollah targeted the Israeli Mossad spy agency’s headquarters near Tel Aviv, marking the first ballistic missile launch in nearly a year….reports Asian Lite News
Israel has instructed its soldiers to prepare for a potential ground operation against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, following warnings from US President Joe Biden about the risk of an “all-out war” in the Middle East.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Israel’s army chief, indicated that forces are actively “attacking” Lebanon to set the stage for possible troop deployment. Over the past three days, the Israeli military has claimed to have struck more than 2,000 Hezbollah targets in the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised that military actions against Hezbollah will persist until northern residents displaced by cross-border clashes can safely return home.
Tensions escalated further when Hezbollah targeted the Israeli Mossad spy agency’s headquarters near Tel Aviv, marking the first ballistic missile launch in nearly a year amid ongoing hostilities triggered by the Gaza conflict.
Despite these developments, the United States has expressed that it does not believe an Israeli ground operation in Lebanon is imminent. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated, “It doesn’t look like something is imminent,” while President Biden underscored the potential for “all-out war” in the region.
In a collective response to the escalating conflict, the US, along with France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and other nations, called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed this sentiment, urging for a ceasefire in Lebanon and warning that “hell is breaking loose.” Meanwhile, Iran, Hezbollah’s main ally, condemned Israel’s military actions, asserting that the Middle East is facing a “full-scale catastrophe” and vowing to support Lebanon “by all means” if Israel escalates its offensive.
Joint calls for 21-day truce
The US, France and other allies have jointly called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to facilitate negotiations in the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has claimed over 600 lives in Lebanon in recent days.
The appeal was made on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday by the US, Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and Qatar.
“The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8, 2023, is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of broader regional escalation. This is in no one’s interest, neither the people of Israel nor Lebanon,” according to a joint statement of the countries.
The allies emphasised that diplomacy cannot succeed amid continued conflict.
“It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that allows civilians on both sides of the border to return to safety,” the statement added.
The joint call urged for the 21-day ceasefire to provide space for diplomatic negotiations, in line with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, and the implementation of UNSCR 2735 regarding a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We call on all parties, including the governments of Israel and Lebanon, to immediately endorse the ceasefire and give diplomacy a real chance to resolve the crisis,” the statement urged.
Carnage continues
Israeli warplanes resumed intensive airstrikes on eastern and southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese military sources.
The sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua on Wednesday evening that Israeli warplanes carried out about 70 raids on the areas of Baalbek, Hermel, and Western Bekaa in eastern Lebanon.
“About 50 raids were recorded on the village of Arqoub, the towns of Marjeyoun, Bint Jbeil, and Jezzine, and the cities of Sidon, Tyre, and Nabatieh in southern Lebanon,” said the sources as reported by Xinhua news agency.
They said that the raids targeted Hezbollah sites, an evacuation centre, and dozens of civilian homes, destroying more than 60 homes and causing extensive damage to the electricity network.
The Civil Defence and the Lebanese Red Cross are working to remove the rubble and transfer the injured to hospitals, the sources added.
According to the National News Agency, 13 out of the 25 members of the Islamic Message Scouts — a local paramedics’ organisation — and the Islamic Health Authority, who were working to remove the rubble following one Israeli raid, were injured during a second raid targeting them.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a statement that it “targeted the Branit barracks this evening with heavy artillery shells and hit it directly”.
Hezbollah added that it also attacked the spy equipment at the Ramyah site in northern Israel on Wednesday evening, which led to its destruction.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said the death toll from the continued Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday across Lebanon had risen to 51, with injuries up to 223.
On Monday and Tuesday, Israel conducted its most extensive attacks on Lebanon since 2006, resulting in more than 550 deaths and over 1,800 injuries across the country.
Lebanese Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said Israel’s bombardment has displaced more than 150,000 residents over the past 72 hours.
The sharp escalation has raised concerns about a potential full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with fears that other regional powers could also be sucked in.
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