2023-12-29 05:33:10
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has urged the UK to exert “maximum pressure” on Israel to end its campaign in Gaza and the Lebanese border.
In a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Thursday, Mikati warned that “Israeli provocations in southern Lebanon could lead to a deterioration of conditions and full-scale war across the region.” .
Cameron warned that “an escalation of the conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, the Red Sea or the wider region would add to the extremely high level of danger and insecurity around the world.”
In a phone call with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Mikati expressed concern about “the escalation of Israeli hostilities in southern Lebanon and the widespread targeting of civilians.”
He added that “the persistence of attacks could drag Lebanon into a large-scale confrontation that could affect all countries in the region,” demanding pressure on Israel to “end its persistent violations.”
Israel said on Thursday that several drones were launched from Lebanon towards the north of Haifa in Israel. In southern Lebanon, clashes took place between Hezbollah and UNIFIL in border villages, amid increased pressure on Lebanon to implement Resolution 1701.
An Israeli army spokesperson announced that “air defenses were activated against a drone that infiltrated from Lebanon over northern Haifa,” adding that “sirens sounded in the area.” .
Activists on social media posted photos of people hiding near sidewalks after the sirens sounded.
Sirens also sounded in other Israeli settlements, including Yiftah, Ramot Naftali, Malkia and Dishon in the Upper Galilee, due to “fears of infiltration by Lebanese drones”, according to the Israeli spokesperson.
Israeli media reported that “air defenses intercepted a drone launched by Hezbollah from southern Lebanon.”
The Israeli army reported that it was “on alert in northern Israel due to the increase in attacks carried out by Hezbollah from Lebanon.”
During a field assessment conducted in the Northern Command in Safad, Israeli Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi said Wednesday: “We have approved plans for various emergency situations and we should be ready to launch an attack if necessary,” adding that “the readiness of the Israeli army and the Northern Command is at a high level.”
This Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen addressed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, warning him that “if he does not want an escalation, he must immediately adhere to resolution 1701 of the United Nations Security Council,” adding that “Hezbollah must withdraw north of the Litani River.”
He said: “We will go for the diplomatic option and if it does not work, we will consider all possible options. We will not let residents return to the settlements they fled without ensuring their safety and restoring their sense of security.”
Israeli Army Radio announced Thursday that “the Israeli Air Force carried out a pre-emptive attack on southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.”
An Israeli plane bombed the surroundings of the village of Aïta ash-Chab on Thursday. Israeli aircraft also struck the Al-Salhani region, located between Ramia and Marwahin in the western part of South Lebanon. Four Israeli artillery shells landed between Dibal and Hanin.
Tension rose a notch in the afternoon when missiles were launched from Lebanon towards Israeli outposts located on the occupied heights of Kfar Chouba. Israeli fire targeted the Wadi Mozlem region, between Ramya and Beit Lif. Hezbollah declared “having targeted the Israeli military outpost of Al-Sammaqah in the occupied Lebanese farms of Chebaa”.
Hezbollah also targeted “an Israeli enemy gathering in the Hounin outpost using appropriate weapons.”
Missiles also landed near the settlement of Kiryat Shmona without sirens being activated, marking the second attack in the area in 24 hours.
As the exchange of hostilities violates the rules of engagement and extends deeper into southern Lebanon and northern Israel, UNIFIL forces deployed in the former have come under two new attacks, threatening the implementation of resolution 1701. International and local bodies have called for the implementation of the resolution, emphasizing Lebanon’s neutrality in the Gaza war.
In a statement, UNIFIL said Thursday that “a peacekeeper was injured later on Wednesday, after a patrol was attacked by a group of young men in Taybeh, southern Lebanon,” adding that “A vehicle was also damaged.”
UNIFIL said: “Attacks against men and women serving the cause of peace are not only reprehensible, but constitute violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanese law.”
“Freedom of movement for peacekeepers is essential as we work to restore security and stability along the Blue Line,” she added.
UNIFIL forces called on Lebanese authorities to conduct a full and rapid investigation in order to bring all perpetrators to justice, stressing that “UNIFIL peacekeepers continue their tasks and we will continue our essential work of monitoring and ‘stopping the escalation’.
It was also announced that a group of young men from the town of Kafr Kila intercepted a passing UNIFIL patrol from the French battalion, forcing the vehicle to stop.
Correspondents in the area revealed: “The issue was resolved after communicating with the affected people, but no injuries were reported in the incident.”
Candice Ardell, deputy director of UNIFIL’s media office, said in a statement: “At around 9 a.m., peacekeepers were intercepted for approximately four minutes as they passed through Kafr Kila and on their way to the Eastern Sector Headquarters.
She added: “After a brief discussion with local residents, the peacekeepers continued on their way. We continue to emphasize the importance of UNIFIL’s freedom of movement as we work to restore security and stability in southern Lebanon.”
On social media, activists defended the action by accusing UNIFIL forces of “helping Israel uncover Hezbollah’s movements in the south.”
Lebanese MP Mark Daou described the attacks on UNIFIL as attacks on the entire country, adding: “This is a reprehensible act and we demand the opening of an investigation and the immediate arrest of the attackers “.
This text is the translation of an article published on Arabnews.com
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