UPDATE ON THE SITUATION – “The extension, once again, of the aggression of the Israeli enemy against the Lebanese regions (…) confirms its refusal of all efforts made to obtain a cease-fire,” declared this Friday the Lebanese Prime Minister after strikes on Beirut in particular.
The southern suburbs of Beirut, stronghold of pro-Iranian Hezbollah, were targeted by a series of Israeli airstrikes Friday morning, as the United States tries to move toward a ceasefire in Lebanon.
A few days before the American presidential election, the visit to Jerusalem by emissaries Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk aims in particular to find a solution to more than a month of war between Israel and the Lebanese Islamist movement, supported by Iran.
UN official fears ‘great danger’ for ancient sites
A senior UN official warns this Friday against “a great danger” which weighs in Lebanon on the historic cities of Tyre, in the south, and Baalbeck, in the east, affected by air strikes by Israel which says it is targeting Hezbollah.
“Ancient Phoenician cities, steeped in history, are in great danger of being left in ruins”lamented the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, on “Lebanon’s cultural heritage must not be another victim of this devastating conflict”she insisted.
Lebanon receives French aid for displaced people
Lebanon received this Friday humanitarian aid sent by France, the first shipment after a recent international conference in Paris, intended for displaced people who fled their homes due to the war between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
Plane lands at Beirut airport, first in series of organized flights “in cooperation with the European Union”pour “realize all the announcements made at the time of the conference” of October 24 in Paris, indicated the French ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, from the airport.
France announced Thursday the sending of 30 tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid for displaced people in Lebanon, torn apart since September 23 by a deadly escalation between the Israeli army and the Islamist movement supported by Iran. “This is a load intended primarily for displaced people, underlined Hervé Magro. These are tents, blankets, health kits, in particular (…) for the displaced people who are in the mountains, since we know that unfortunately bad weather is coming.
WHO ‘deeply concerned’ by Israeli attacks on health services
The World Health Organization (WHO) is “deeply concerned” attacks carried out by the Israeli army against health services in its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a spokesperson said on Friday.
The WHO is “truly, deeply concerned about the increase in attacks on health workers and health facilities in Lebanon, and we emphasize again and again that health care is not a target”declared Margaret Harris, spokesperson for the organization during a press briefing in Geneva.
State media reports Israeli strike on town of Baalbeck
The Lebanese news agency Ani reported on Friday an Israeli raid on a neighborhood of Baalbeck, a large city in eastern Lebanon targeted by strikes in recent days.
“Enemy aircraft carried out a raid on the al-Zahraa neighborhood in the city of Baalbeck”specified Ani. The strike was not preceded by a call to evacuate from the Israeli army addressed to residents of the city, which is home to Roman ruins listed as UNESCO world heritage sites.
Israel’s extension of strikes signals its ‘refusal’ of any ceasefire, says Lebanese prime minister
“The extension, once again, of the aggression of the Israeli enemy against the Lebanese regions (…) and the fact that it has once again targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut with destructive raids, are so many indicators which confirm its refusal of all efforts made to obtain a ceasefire”Najib Mikati said in a statement.
Israeli aircraft carried out at least ten strikes Friday at dawn on the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold of pro-Iranian Hezbollah, for the first time this week, as it continues its intensive raids on the south and east of Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese Prime Minister, “Israeli statements and diplomatic signals that Lebanon has received confirm Israel’s obstinacy in rejecting the proposed solutions”.
Bombings on the southern suburbs of Beirut
The night was marked by new bombings on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, regularly targeted in recent weeks by the Israeli army which had launched a call to evacuate several sectors.
The Lebanese National Agency (ANI) reported at least 10 strikes. According to images broadcast by AFPTV, they caused strong explosions and thick plumes of smoke then rose from the area. “The raids caused massive destruction in the targeted areas and dozens of buildings were razed”reported ANI, also reporting the outbreak of fires.
At least 1,820 dead in Lebanon
The war that has raged since October 7, 2023 in the Gaza Strip has spread to Lebanon, where Israel has been carrying out massive airstrikes against Hezbollah since September 23.
At least 1,829 people have been killed since September 23 in Lebanon, according to an AFP count based on official data.
Four Thai nationals killed on Thursday
In northern Israel on Thursday, rocket fire from Lebanon left seven people dead, according to local authorities, including four foreign agricultural workers in Metoula.
Thailand then reported the death of four nationals in this border town.
American plan
According to Israeli media citing government sources, the plan prepared by American envoys provides for a withdrawal of Hezbollah from southern Lebanon, bordering northern Israel, as well as the withdrawal of the Israeli army from this region, control of which would return to the Lebanese army and the UN peacekeepers.
Lebanon would have the responsibility to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and Israel would retain its right to defend itself in accordance with international law, according to this document.
Israeli officials said the soldiers, engaged in a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since September 30, would not withdraw until an agreement that would meet Israel’s security demands.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who received American envoys on Thursday, assured “appreciate” support from Washington, while refusing to give in to pressure from its ally. “Terrorist armies will no longer be at our borders. Hamas will no longer control Gaza and Hezbollah will not establish itself on our northern border in positions capable of invading. Israel, he insisted.
But according to Israeli media, a ceasefire seems increasingly likely, after the Israeli chief of staff, General Herzi Halevi, reported the “total dismantling of the chain of command” you Hezbollah.
