-
Gallant Threatens to Destroy Lebanese Border Villages.. and Prevents Hezbollah's Return
-
The Israeli army's call to evacuate 21 Lebanese villages reflects Israel's intention to expand its military operations in southern Lebanon, threatening to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and increa
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that his country's forces have succeeded in destroying two-thirds of Hezbollah's arsenal of medium and short-range missiles. Gallant added, in controversial statements, that Israel "has managed to almost completely eliminate Hezbollah's top leadership," threatening to destroy Lebanese border villages and prevent the party's return to them.
In contrast, Hezbollah accused Israeli forces of using internationally prohibited cluster munitions in their shelling of populated areas in southern Lebanon. The party indicated in a statement that Israel used these bombs, prohibited under the 2008 Oslo Convention, in raids on the villages of Hanin and Al-Tairi.
In a related context, the Israeli Air Force intensified its raids on Lebanese border areas, targeting several towns including Alma Al-Shaab, Beit Lif, and Ramiya. The Israeli army also called on residents of 21 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately and move north of the Awali River, in a move indicating the intention to expand military operations in the area.
Analysts view this latest escalation as part of a shift in Israeli focus from Gaza to Lebanon since last September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting against Hezbollah until the return of northern Israeli residents who were displaced due to the violence.
Statistics indicate that the escalating conflict has led to the death of more than 1,200 people in Lebanon and the displacement of about one million others since the start of Israeli ground operations on September 30.
Experts warn that the continuation of this escalation could lead to an expansion of the confrontation to include other countries in the region, threatening the outbreak of a comprehensive regional war. They also point out that mutual accusations of using internationally prohibited weapons increase the chances of international community intervention to stop the escalation.
Levant-Agencies
