Five killed in Israeli attack near southern Lebanon’s Tyre
Among those killed is a baby, Lebanon’s National News Agency reports. The Israeli air raid hit the suburb of Chehour, on the outskirts of Tyre, in southern Lebanon.
Thousands of terrified families have fled southern Lebanon, joining an estimated 110,000 people who escaped earlier to seek shelter wherever possible from Israeli bombardment. The total number of displaced Lebanese is about 500,000 now.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon putting civilians ‘at grave risk’
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is pressing for an international investigation into attacks on Lebanon. Israeli strikes on the country on Monday killed at least 558 people – the deadliest day of violence since Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war.
“More than 1,000 Israeli strikes across Lebanon that have killed hundreds of people and injured thousands are placing civilians across the country at grave risk of harm,” HRW said in a statement.
United Nations “member states should take urgent action to establish an independent inquiry into violations during the current hostilities”, said Lama Fakih, HRW’s Middle East and North Africa director.
“The presence of a Hezbollah commander, rocket launcher, or other military facility in a populated area does not justify attacking the area without regard to the civilian population.”
Biden: All-out war is possible but not inevitable in Middle East
US President Joe Biden says a full-scale conflict is possible in the Middle East, but there is also the potential of a settlement in Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon.
“An all-out war is possible, but I think there’s also the opportunity – we’re still in play – to have a settlement that can fundamentally change the whole region,” Biden said in an appearance on US broadcaster ABC’s The View.
Since Israel’s war on Gaza started on October 7, Biden has offered the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unconditional military and diplomatic support. Critics say the carnage in Gaza will define Biden’s place in the history books.
What settlement would that be? A ceasefire, permanent withdrawal from Gaza and a 2 state solution ending the occupation of the West Bank would definitely change the whole region. Yet Biden will have to stop enabling Netanyahu to achieve that. That doesn't look likely to ever happen.
Israel has to learn to live with its neighbors instead of dehumanizing and bombing them.
“They have a possibility – I don’t want to exaggerate it – there’s a possibility if we can deal with a ceasefire in Lebanon that it can move into dealing with the West Bank as well. We also have Gaza to deal with,” said Biden in the interview.
“It’s possible and I’m using every bit of energy with my team to get this done. There’s a desire to see change in the region.”
The US president also pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to drop his opposition to an independent Palestinian state to end the burgeoning Middle East crisis.
“I don’t agree with his [Netanyahu’s] position. There needs to be a two-state solution.”
Saying the right words, still doing the opposite. Here's more bombs, please stop using them.
Palestinians in Lebanon displaced as Israel continues attacks
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says people are being displaced during intensified Israeli attacks and “escalating violence”. UNRWA opened emergency shelters and says it is providing displaced families with essential supplies including food, water and mattresses.
“Our teams are working to reach those in need with critical humanitarian aid,” it said.
After nearly one year of war that turned life in #Gaza into a non-stop nightmare, now #Lebanon is on the brink.
Civilians, including humanitarian workers, are being killed. Families are being displaced. Violence is escalating.
This must stop. Peace needs to be restored. pic.twitter.com/UAyr24n00a
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) September 25, 2024
