Fourth day of bombing Lebanon on the part of Israeli forcesat the moment the truce seems only a mirage. The IDF conducted a series of targeted attacks against the facilities of Hezbollahto be precise against 220 targets of the terrorist group: these include buildings used by the Shiite group, rocket launchers used in attacks in northern Israel, weapons depots and agents. The attacks were carried out in both southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah’s response was quantified as 40 rockets towards Israeli territory, to be precise in the Upper Galilee area. According to what was announced by Tel Aviv, there were no reports of victims.
According to what was announced by the Lebanese Ministry of Health and reported by Haaretz, Israeli raids in Lebanon in the last 24 hours have caused 92 deaths. Among the victims there would also be a big member of Hezbollah: according to the Israel Defense Forces, the head of one of the air force units, Mohammad Sururwas killed in an attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut. No comment from the terrorist group. One thing is certain, Israel has no intention of stopping: “We will continue to strike Hezbollah with full force until we bring the residents of the north back to their homes”, the words of the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking of Netanyahu, the tension with the US is palpable. At the moment there are no openings for one truce in Lebanon, the message from the prime minister of Tel Aviv. The American and French proposal for a 21-day halt in hostilities, supported by the EU and other countries, was rejected, but there is no shortage of recriminations from Washington. In fact, the Jewish State first accepted the ceasefire but then ordered to insist on attacks against Hezbollah positions.
Going into detail, the Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermerhad reached agreements in principle with the United States for a ceasefire covering both Lebanon and Gaza. The green light would also have arrived from Netayahu, who yesterday backtracked. According to the reconstruction provided by Channel 12, the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivanwould have moved personally to prevent the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah from getting out of hand. Dermer would have said that Netanyahu wanted to avoid large-scale war, hence the start of dialogue for a three-week truce pending a more permanent agreement.
But not only that. The discussion on the ceasefire had also progressed at broader levels, involving General Eliezer Toledano, head of the IDF strategic directorate and former military advisor to Netanyahu. Despite the important steps forward, the IDF continued its offensive in Lebanon, while the prime minister began to inform a small number of ministers of his government. Then, Adnkronos reports, when Netanyahu embarked for New York, the note from Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron came out announcing the 21-day ceasefire. Then the epilogue, with Netanyahu’s denial of any agreement.
The international community’s concern about the situation in the Middle East is evident. Macron he reiterated that France opposes Lebanon “becoming a new Gaza”, pointing the finger at the “absolutely scandalous” number of civilian victims: “Israel must cease its attacks and Hezbollah must abandon its logic of retaliation”, his words during a press conference in Montreal together with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. On the same wavelength Ursula von der Leyenwho met Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati yesterday in Beirut on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly: “I discussed with Prime Minister Najib Mikati the dangerous situation in southern Lebanon and its impact on civilians. We need an immediate ceasefire to enable a diplomatic solution in line with UN resolutions. We will continue to support the Lebanese people affected by the conflict.”
TheVermilion.com is also on Whatsapp. Simply click here to subscribe to the channel and always be updated (free)