Israel Hezbollah War: The Israeli-Lebanon conflict (Israel Hezbollah War) has reached a worse stage, as Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi told his troops to get set to invade the ground, which might reach Lebanon. This has been after Israel has been undertaking constant bombardments of Hezbollah base positions in a move that is aimed at weakening and degrading some military infrastructure of the Iran-backed group. According to Halevi, the attacks by Israel are paving way for entry into Lebanese territory by its troops. “We keep striking and hitting them [Hezbollah] everywhere. your military boots will enter enemy territory,” Halevi told soldiers, indicating that the whole issue was pretty grave.
Rising Death Toll and International Response
The humanitarian cost is building. Lebanese health authorities reported that at least 72 were killed, and 233 were injured on Wednesday alone; the death toll in Lebanon tops 600 since Israel’s heightened attacks began earlier this week. The attacks have displaced nearly 90,000 people, further exacerbating the already-devastated refugee crisis in Lebanon, which had seen in excess of 110,000 people flee their homes before this escalation.
World leaders are racing to stop a wider regional war. US President Joe Biden said that if things get any worse, an ‘all-out war’ could erupt. Speaking to ABC News, Biden expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution, saying, “An all-out war is possible. the opportunity is still in play to have a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region.”.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke at the UN General Assembly, appealing to both Israel and Hezbollah to calm down. “There cannot be a war in Lebanon. We urge Israel to cease this escalation and Hezbollah to stop missile launches into Israel,” Macron said while affirming international efforts towards brokering peace. This is coming after Macron had received a telephone call with US President Biden on the two-day prospect of a 21-day ceasefire that should put an end to hostilities and pave way for negotiations.
UN and Diplomatic Routes
The United Nations is very much implicated in trying to mediate the conflict. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, pleaded with both sides to step back from the brink of catastrophe: “Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon. Stop the killing and destruction, tone down the rhetoric, and step back from the brink.”
The proposed cease-fire deal being led by the US and France reportedly puts a hold on fighting along Lebanon-Israel border for three weeks, which may provide an opportunity to facilitate diplomatic talks. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said Israel might consider a cease-fire but reiterated that Iran remains the main backer of Hezbollah, the stabilizing force in the region.
The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, from Tehran, said the situation might get worse if not controlled. He again reiterated the support given by Iran to Hezbollah and indicated that Iran may stop holding back in this case as long as the condition worsens, and this might drag the region into a more extensive war.
Hezbollah’s Reactionary Attacks
Even though diplomatic corridors have been utilized in an attempt to control and reduce the tensions, Hezbollah seems to have no intentions of giving up. It had earlier claimed responsibility for launching a missile toward Tel Aviv, targeting what it alleged to be Israel’s Mossad headquarters. However, military officials in Israel disputed that the missile came anywhere close to Mossad offices and said that air defense intercepted the missile before civilian areas. The attack is the first direct strike of Hezbollah against Tel Aviv as the spate of hostilities continues to escalate.
Israel responds by launching airstrikes at over 280 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including places close to Sidon, Bekaa Valley, and northern Beirut. These fall under a broader campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s military body ahead of likely ground-based operations.
Indian Advisory to Citizens in Lebanon
India Issues Advisory and Tweeted, “As a reiteration of the Advisory issued on 1 August 2024 and in view of the recent developments and escalations in the region, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Lebanon till further notice.”
It added that, “All Indian nationals already in Lebanon are also strongly advised to leave Lebanon. Those who remain for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with Embassy of India in Beirut through our email ID: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +96176860128.”
UK also asked Citizens to leave Lebanon
At the same time, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has asked British citizens to leave Lebanon after the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah intensified. At the same time, about 700 British soldiers have been deployed in Cyprus in case an emergency evacuation is required. Before leaving for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, PM Keir Starmer said in Liverpool that Britain is working on its contingency plans in view of the increase in violence. He has also expressed apprehension of escalation of war between Israel and Hezbollah.