Lebanese Premier declares country at risk of ‘new war’
(MENAFN) Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has cautioned that continued Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon could push the country into a new conflict. In a statement released on Saturday, Salam expressed concerns over renewed military operations along the border, warning that they could bring devastation to Lebanon and its people. He emphasized that only the Lebanese state should have the authority to decide matters of war and peace.
Salam also urged the United Nations to pressure Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, arguing that ongoing hostilities threaten the fragile ceasefire currently in place.
On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes targeted Tyre, Zibqin, and Qlaileh in response to rocket fire allegedly launched from Hezbollah-controlled areas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Lebanon’s government is responsible for any attacks originating from its territory, while Hezbollah denied involvement, calling the accusations an excuse for further aggression.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported multiple casualties from the strikes, including a fatality in Tyre and five deaths—two of them children—in earlier raids on Touline.
The escalation comes after Hezbollah began targeting Israeli positions following the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in Israeli military retaliation. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement in November, tensions have persisted. UN peacekeeping spokesperson Andrea Tenenti described the situation as "very concerning" and called for restraint to prevent further escalation in the region.
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