by Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
October 1, 2024 – Beirut, Lebanon — Israeli forces have begun limited incursions into Lebanon, according to U.S. officials, as tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed to continue military operations, even after a significant airstrike on Friday killed Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The strike dealt a severe blow to the Lebanese militant group, but Gallant warned that the conflict was far from over.
“We will use all the means that may be required—air, sea, and land—to restore calm,” Gallant stated during a visit to northern Israel near the Lebanese border. His comments came as Israel declared parts of the border strip a “closed military zone” and ramped up artillery shelling in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad reported that more than 1,000 people have been killed since the fighting began on September 17, as the conflict continues to devastate civilian populations. Israel’s airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon, and Southern Beirut, forcing nearly a million people to flee their homes, according to Lebanese officials.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, remains defiant. In his first address since Nasrallah’s death, the group’s deputy leader Naim Qassem warned that Hezbollah fighters were “ready if Israel decides to enter by land.”
While Hezbollah commands significant military resources in Lebanon, the country’s national army has been repositioning its troops farther from the border, underscoring the militia’s dominant role in the conflict.
International Calls for Ceasefire
World leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have called for diplomacy and a ceasefire. “We should have a ceasefire now,” Biden said, opposing any Israeli ground invasion. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot echoed this sentiment, urging Israel to “refrain from any ground incursion” during his visit to Beirut.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has also appealed for de-escalation. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, expressed concerns about the conflict spiraling out of control, warning that a full-scale Israeli invasion would worsen the humanitarian crisis. UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have been unable to conduct patrols due to the intensity of the fighting.
Despite calls for restraint, Israeli strikes continued to hit targets in Lebanon, including Palestinian militant groups. An Israeli strike on Al-Bass refugee camp killed Hamas leader Fatah Sharif Abu al-Amine, along with his family, and a strike in central Beirut marked the first in years, killing three members of an armed Palestinian faction.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called for a ceasefire, advocating for a U.S.-French proposal to halt Israeli attacks and prevent further casualties.
Regional Implications
The conflict has drawn international concern, particularly from Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah. Tehran warned that Nasrallah’s assassination would lead to Israel’s “destruction” but clarified that it has no plans to deploy Iranian fighters in the conflict. Iranian officials have urged restraint, emphasizing that the situation should be resolved diplomatically.
As the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt continue to work toward a diplomatic solution, Israel’s domestic critics have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing peace efforts, especially those tied to a potential ceasefire deal and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
With no end in sight, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to draw in other regional actors, adding to the volatility of an already fraught Middle East. Diplomatic efforts continue, but the prospect of a wider war looms as both sides prepare for the possibility of further escalation.
Byline: The Middle East Affairs Desk, October 2024