THE Middle East escalation situation is increasing on all fronts. In the last hour, Israel attacked three places simultaneously covering the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria.
Israel does not usually comment on its military actions in Syria. However, when it comes to Lebanon, Israel says it launched limited and targeted attacks on Lebanese territory.
While this remains an invasion of a sovereign country, the Israeli army says its focus is villages in southern Lebanon targeted by Hezbollah, Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, and other Hezbollah strongholds.
Also read: UN Experts Condemn Israel for Confirming Attacks on Lebanese Civilians
On Monday (30/9) evening, a cabinet meeting basically gave approval for Israel’s military plans to be implemented. But there are concerns from many ministers in government that this needs to be a small-scale operation.
Their reason is that Lebanon is different from what they face in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. But the Israeli army says this is what they need to do to achieve their goals.
This was necessary, the army said, to change the balance of power in the north and return Israelis to evacuated towns and settlements along the border.
Also read: France and the US ask for a Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire for 21 days
Israel’s massive bombing campaign in Lebanon has entered its second week and has caused mass displacement.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati said about 1 million people had fled their homes in the south, east and parts of the capital, Beirut.
Even before the conflict between the Israeli military and Hezbollah escalated, Lebanon was mired in a financial and political crisis, with nearly half of its population classified as food insecure. This means they don’t have enough food.
Meanwhile, at least three people were confirmed dead and nine others injured following a suspected Israeli attack in Damascus. Syrian state media reported that local journalist Safaa Ahmad was among those killed in the attack that took place in the Mezzeh neighborhood of the Syrian capital.
Rescue teams are dealing with a fire in the field. The Israeli military has not confirmed the attack. (Aljazeera/Z-2)
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