Israeli army announces ‘approval’ of offensive plan against Lebanon

Posted on June 19, 2024

Lecture: 3 minutes.

There have been almost daily exchanges of fire on the northern border between Israel and Lebanon since Hezbollah’s ally, the Islamist movement Hamas, launched an attack on Israel on October 7, sparking the war in the Palestinian territories.

On June 18, the Israeli army announced that a “combat plan to attack Lebanon” had been formulated. “Formally recognized and verified” at a meeting of generals devoted to “assessment of the situation.”

Israel’s foreign policy chief Israel Katz recently threatened The destruction of Hezbollah At the end of “Total War”.

“Avoid all-out war”

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden’s special envoy Amos Hochstein is in Beirut, where he A De-escalation between Israel and Hezbollah was described as “urgent” and he spoke of a “serious situation”. After a stop in Jerusalem, he said the US wanted to avoid “all-out war”.

There has been a relative calm in bombings and fighting in the Gaza Strip since the army declared a humanitarian pause on June 16. and The army announced it would suspend daytime operations “until further notice” to facilitate the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, coinciding with the start of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in the southern part of the territory.

The Army announced Continue to operate be opposed to this Hamas and its allies, particularly in Rafah, where witnesses reported fighting in several neighborhoods. “We have been dismantling Hamas in Rafah for the past month,” said Israeli government spokesman David Mensel. “Terrorist outposts in Shabla and Tal Sultan are being defeated. We have eliminated hundreds of terrorists.” Discover Tunnel entrance,” he added.

Remote ceasefire

Despite the efforts of mediators such as the United States, Qatar and Egypt, the prospect of a ceasefire seems far away.

US President Joe Biden announced a plan on May 31 that initially provided for a six-week ceasefire involving the exchange of hostages and Palestinians held by Israel. Stay Dead letter. In his Eid al-Adha message to Muslims, Joe Biden pleaded for the plan to be implemented, stressing that it was the “best way” to help victims of the “horror” of war.

In Beirut, Amos Hochstein confirmed that the plan also represents “an opportunity to end the conflict” boundary Israeli-Lebanese. But the Israeli foreign minister warned that “in a full-scale war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be hit hard.” Israel Katz added: “We are about to decide to change the rules of the game for Hezbollah and Lebanon.”

Earlier, Hezbollah have The video, which AFP was unable to independently verify, identified some locations as military and energy infrastructure and others as civilian facilities.

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This upgrade boundary The Lebanese decision comes as Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing criticism for his conduct in the war in Gaza. On Tuesday night, as on the previous day, thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem, demanding early elections and a deal to allow the release of Palestinians. of hostage.

(AFP report)