As the Israeli army continues to fight Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip, there have also been increased tensions on the northern border with Lebanon. The Israeli army announced late Sunday evening that warplanes had again attacked a command center of the Hamas-affiliated Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon. In addition, an observation post of the Iranian-backed militia was attacked. The information could not initially be independently verified. In the evening, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant discussed the dangerous situation in the border area with Amos Hochstein, an advisor to US President Biden, in Tel Aviv. According to his ministry, Galant said during the meeting that they were ready for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, but at the same time were prepared for “any other scenario”.
Israel moves divisions to the border with Lebanon
According to Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari, three troop divisions were moved to the northern border. He clearly warned Hezbollah this weekend: war is not Israel’s first priority, “but we are certainly prepared.”
Since the start of the Gaza war following the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, mutual attacks have occurred almost daily in the Israeli-Lebanese border area. There was fighting there again on Sunday. According to the Israeli army, Hezbollah has fired several rockets into northern Israel. In response, Israeli warplanes bombed a Hezbollah missile site and observation posts in two towns in southern Lebanon.
No agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza war
Meanwhile, negotiations in the Gaza war have still not reached an agreement on a new ceasefire and the release of more hostages. Hamas has a proposal recently negotiated in Paris by the US, Egypt and Qatar that provides for the gradual release of the hostages in return for a longer ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners. A representative said on Sunday that they would comment on this soon, but it was still being discussed internally. Israeli negotiators are said to have already accepted the draft framework.
Israel: Thousands of Hezbollah positions attacked
Meanwhile, Israel wants to apply military and diplomatic pressure to ensure that the Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon, which is an ally of Hamas, withdraws behind the Litani River, 30 kilometers from the border – as stipulated in UN Resolution 1701 Hezbollah is currently firing repeatedly from the buffer zone established in the border area after the end of the second Lebanon war in 2006. The Israeli army is responding with counterattacks. According to army spokesman Hagari, the armed forces have attacked more than 3,400 Hezbollah positions since the start of the Gaza war. More than 200 terrorists were “eliminated”.
Israel warns Hezbollah
The Hezbollah militia is considered significantly more powerful than Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of residents in northern Israel and on the Lebanese side have now left their hometowns due to the repeated military clashes. Israel has warned several times that it is ready for a major military operation if diplomatic efforts fail. Defense Minister Galant reiterated this warning on Sunday, as the Times of Israel newspaper reported: “The clear instruction I have given the air force is to point the noses of our aircraft towards the north,” Galant said. The Israeli army is ready for any eventuality, it said.
The newspaper further reported, citing Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, that Biden’s adviser Hochstein spoke of signs of a possible diplomatic solution during the meeting with Galant. This would include a Hezbollah withdrawal from the border area. There was no official confirmation of this.
What will be important on Monday
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wants to hold crisis talks in the Middle East again. This should also include a new ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza war. Blinken’s fifth trip to the Middle East since the start of the Gaza war nearly four months ago comes after the expanded US military assault on pro-Iranian militia positions in Iraq and Syria and renewed attacks on pro-Iranian Houthi militia positions in Yemen. Meanwhile, at the instigation of Russia, the World Security Council is meeting in New York to discuss the US attacks in Syria and Iraq. Moscow accuses Washington of deliberately trying to escalate the conflict in the Middle East. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
