While UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke of a possible “preemptive strike before a larger military operation,” Israel‘s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a troop deployment to the border with Lebanon.
Already on Tuesday, hundreds of pagers that people were carrying in their pockets exploded simultaneously in several places in Lebanon. Around 2,800 people were injured and at least 12 died. Hezbollah blamed Israel for Tuesday’s attack and vowed retaliation. Israel itself did not comment on the incident. Israel also did not initially comment on Wednesday’s explosions.
Israel is preparing
Table of Contents
- 1 Israel is preparing
- 2 Explosions during funerals
- 3 “Possible scenarios presented”
- 4 It is ready to provide support to the Lebanese people amid the ongoing crisis. This statement raises questions about the implications for regional stability and the balance of power.
- 5 What are the potential consequences of Israel’s troop deployment to the Lebanon border?
Table of Contents
In view of the situation, the UN Security Council wants to hold an emergency meeting. According to diplomatic sources, the most powerful body of the United Nations is scheduled to meet on Friday at 9 p.m. CEST.
Israel’s Defense Minister Gallant made it clear that his country is preparing for an escalation of hostilities with the Hezbollah militia. “We are entering a new phase of the war that will require courage, determination and perseverance,” he said in a speech at an air force base on Wednesday. The focus is shifting to the border area in the north. Troops and resources are being moved there.
Since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian Hamas, Israeli border troops have been engaged in short skirmishes with the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon on an almost daily basis. Due to the shelling with grenades and rockets as well as the drone attacks, thousands of Israelis have left the border region and are living in makeshift accommodation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised just a few days ago to create the conditions for the return of the displaced people.
Explosions during funerals
The second wave of explosions hit Lebanon in the late afternoon. While funerals for the victims of the previous day were being held in the southern Beirut suburb, the new explosions were reported. Hezbollah sources said that “wireless devices such as walkie-talkies” had exploded.
Videos on social media showed panic spreading during the funeral ceremony after loud bangs were heard. Senior Hezbollah official Hashim Safieddine said in response to the pagers exploding the previous day: “This aggression has its own punishment and retribution, and the punishment will come.” Hezbollah had previously announced retaliation. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah will address the public on Thursday.
Sounds of explosions were also heard in the port city of Tyre in the south of the country, people on the ground reported. Numerous ambulances were deployed. Local media also reported explosions in Sidon and other places in the south of the country. The Lebanese Civil Defense said its teams were deployed in the south and east of the country and in the southern suburbs of Beirut to extinguish fires in cars, shops and other buildings. These areas are mainly controlled by Hezbollah.
“Possible scenarios presented”
The Lebanese government had previously declared that it was preparing for a possible major Israeli attack. According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, the head of the government’s emergency committee, Nasser Yassin, said: “We have presented possible scenarios in the event of extensive Israeli attacks.” The Ministry of Education has presented a list of around 100 schools that could serve as emergency shelters. According to government sources, food reserves in Lebanon are sufficient for more than three months.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said there was a “serious risk of dramatic escalation.” “The logic behind detonating all of these devices is, of course, to do so as a preemptive strike before a major military operation,” Guterres said at a press conference in New York on Wednesday. Guterres was referring to Tuesday’s explosions. News of the new detonations trickled in during the event.
The UN Human Rights Office condemned the devastating consequences of the explosions as “shocking”. “The impact on the civilian population is unacceptable,” said spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani in Geneva. “The fear and terror that this has caused is far-reaching.” It violates international human rights standards to carry out an attack on thousands of people simultaneously without knowing who had the device with them at the time of the attack or where and in what environment the person was. It could also be a violation of international humanitarian law, the office demanded a transparent investigation into the incidents. Those who planned and carried out the attack must be held accountable.
Iran, which is allied with Hezbollah, has meanwhile announced that it will fly 100 injured people out of Lebanon. Most of the wounded, who are to be taken to Iranian hospitals, have suffered injuries to their hands and eyes, said the head of the Red Crescent Society, Pirhussein Koliwand. 95 patients will be flown out in the coming hours. Iran had previously sent doctors and nurses to the Mediterranean country, whose health system is completely overwhelmed.
This article was last updated on 19.09.2024 at 6.31 am
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It is ready to provide support to the Lebanese people amid the ongoing crisis. This statement raises questions about the implications for regional stability and the balance of power.
Escalating Tensions: Israel Deploys Troops to Lebanon Border Amid Rising Violence
The situation in the Middle East has taken a dramatic turn as Israel deploys troops to the border with Lebanon, following a series of explosions in the country that left at least 12 people dead and over 2,800 injured. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting to address the rapidly escalating crisis.
A New Phase of War
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has announced that the country is preparing for an escalation of hostilities with the Hezbollah militia, stating that “We are entering a new phase of the war that will require courage, determination, and perseverance.” The focus has shifted to the border area in the north, with troops and resources being moved to the region.
Explosions in Lebanon
On Tuesday, hundreds of pagers carried by people in their pockets exploded simultaneously in several locations in Lebanon, causing widespread panic and destruction. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attack and vowed retaliation. The second wave of explosions hit Lebanon in the late afternoon, with reports of loud bangs during funeral ceremonies for the victims of the previous day’s attack.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres Weighs In
The UN Secretary-General has warned of a “serious risk of dramatic escalation” in the region, stating that “The logic behind detonating all of these devices is, of course, to do so as a preemptive strike before a major military operation.” Guterres was referring to Tuesday’s explosions, which occurred before the UN Security Council meeting.
International Condemnation
The UN Human Rights Office has condemned the devastating consequences of the explosions as “shocking”, stating that “The impact on the civilian population is unacceptable.” The office has called for a transparent investigation into the incidents and for those responsible to be held accountable.
Iran Offers Aid
Iran, an ally of Hezbollah, has announced that
What are the potential consequences of Israel’s troop deployment to the Lebanon border?
Israel Prepares for Escalation with Hezbollah as Tensions Rise in Lebanon
The situation in Lebanon has taken a dramatic turn as Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a troop deployment to the border with Lebanon, following a series of mysterious explosions in the country. The move comes amidst rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning of a “serious risk of dramatic escalation.”
Explosions Rock Lebanon
On Tuesday, hundreds of pagers carried by people in Lebanon suddenly exploded, injuring over 2,800 people and claiming at least 12 lives. Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon, blamed Israel for the attack and vowed retaliation. Israel did not comment on the incident. On Wednesday, a second wave of explosions hit Lebanon, targeting funerals for the victims of the previous day’s attack.
Israel Prepares for War
In response to the escalating situation, Israel’s Defense Minister Gallant made it clear that his country is preparing for an escalation of hostilities with Hezbollah. “We are entering a new phase of the war that will require courage, determination, and perseverance,” he said in a speech at an air force base on Wednesday. The Israeli military has shifted its focus to the border area in the north, with troops and resources being moved to the region.
UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting
The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Friday to address the crisis. The meeting comes as the international community grows increasingly concerned about the implications of the escalating conflict for regional stability and the balance of power.
Hezbollah Vows Retaliation
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to address the public on Thursday, with the group promising to respond to the attacks. “This aggression has its own punishment and retribution, and the punishment will come,” said senior Hezbollah official Hashim Safieddine.
Lebanon Prepares for the Worst
The Lebanese government has declared that it is preparing for a possible major Israeli attack. The Ministry of Education has identified around 100 schools that could serve as emergency shelters, while food reserves in Lebanon are said to be sufficient for more than three months.
Possible Scenarios Presented
The Lebanese government has presented possible scenarios in the event of extensive Israeli attacks. According to government sources, the country is bracing for the worst, with the Ministry of Education identifying schools that could serve as emergency shelters.
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It’s Ready to Provide Support to the Lebanese People
The international community is watching the situation closely, with many countries offering support to the Lebanese people. The crisis has raised questions about the implications for regional stability and the balance of power. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the consequences of an escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah would be far-reaching and devastating.
Keywords: Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Yoav Gallant, António Guterres, UN Security
