Representational picture. AFP
Escalating assaults by militant group Hezbollah danger “dragging Lebanon into a war”, Israel’s army mentioned Sunday, after renewed cross-border exchanges of fireplace which have raised fears of a wider battle.
“Hezbollah… is dragging Lebanon into a war that it will gain nothing from, but stands to lose a lot,” warned Israel Protection Forces spokesman Jonathan Conricus.
The Lebanese group is allied with Hamas, which touched off the newest violence with a murderous October 7 rampage in Israel that killed at the very least 1,400 folks, largely civilians who have been shot, mutilated or burnt to dying, in accordance with Israeli officers.
Israel has retaliated with relentless strikes on Gaza which have killed greater than 4,300 Palestinians, primarily civilians, in accordance with the Hamas-run well being ministry.
It has additionally exchanged hearth with Hezbollah throughout its northern border, with Conricus accusing the group of a harmful escalation.
“Hezbollah is playing a very, very dangerous game. They’re escalating the situation. We see more and more attacks every day,” he mentioned.
“Is the Lebanese state really willing to jeopardise what is left of Lebanese prosperity and Lebanese sovereignty for the sake of terrorists in Gaza?” he requested.
“That’s a question that the Lebanese authorities need to ask themselves and answer.”
Latest exchanges of fireplace have killed 4 Hezbollah fighters and a member of Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in Lebanon, whereas three Israeli troops have been injured, one significantly, in Hezbollah anti-tank hearth, and two Thai farm staff additionally wounded.
Israel has ordered dozens of northern communities to evacuate, and several other thousand Lebanese have additionally fled border areas for the southern metropolis of Tyre.
Hezbollah quantity two Naim Qassem has warned the group might step up its involvement within the battle.
“Let’s be clear, as events unfold, if something comes up that calls for greater intervention by us, we will do so,” he mentioned.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah fought a devastating battle with Israel in 2006 that left greater than 1,200 useless in Lebanon, largely civilians, and 160 useless in Israel, largely troopers.