US envoy warns Israeli officials against escalation in Lebanon: Report
Haaretz reports that US envoy Amos Hochstein has warned Israeli leaders that intensifying the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon could lead to a regional war while failing to achieve Israel’s objective of returning residents displaced by the violence in the north of the country to their homes.
Hochstein also said that Washington remains committed to a diplomatic solution to the crisis on the Israel-Lebanon border, according to the Israeli newspaper.
Israel defence minister says military action needed on northern border
Yoav Gallant has said that the only way to return residents evacuated from northern Israel to their homes is through military action.
Israel’s defence minister made the comments during a meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein, according to a statement from his office.
“Minister Gallant emphasised that the possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict. Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes will be via military action,” the statement said.
Tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border have been displaced by the almost daily clashes between Hezbollah and Israel that started with the outbreak of the war on Gaza.
Israeli military confirms Hezbollah rocket launches, attacks Lebanon
The Israeli military says it identified rockets entering the Upper Galilee from Lebanon, of which some were intercepted while others fell in open areas and inflicted no casualties. It also released aerial footage of its launch of air raids on Hezbollah buildings in southern Lebanon’s Hula.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, as reported by state media, one person was killed and two were injured in the attacks.
Hezbollah has claimed two attacks on Israeli positions today, saying it launched rockets at the Metula site while firing artillery shells on another site along the border.
Hezbollah claims rocket attacks against Israeli bases
The Lebanese group says it fired rockets against Israeli military positions in Ramot Naftali and Ramim near the eastern side of the Lebanon-Israel border.
Hezbollah says its military operations against Israel are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, but on Monday it said the recent attacks were also in response to the Israeli bombardment of civilian homes in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah says launched 13 attacks against Israel today
The Lebanese group says the military operations included rocket and drone attacks against Israeli positions across the border. Today’s clashes come amid growing calls in Israel for addressing the crisis with Hezbollah, including through a major war if necessary.
Hezbollah says it will continue to target Israeli military bases until Israel stops its war on Gaza.
