More than 500 shelters set up for displaced people: Interior minister
Speaking at the press briefing, Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi applauded the public for their “solidarity and unity” amid the crisis.
He said there is a major influx of displaced people from southern Lebanon and more than 500 shelters, many within schools, have been set up to accommodate them. Provincial mayors are overseeing the shelters, where people with special needs and chronic health issues are being given “special attention”, Mawlawi said.
No confidence in a ceasefire in Lebanon
There is no confidence in a ceasefire agreement here in Lebanon.
Hezbollah and the Lebanese have been clear that they do not see the US as an honest broker, given that weapons are still reaching Israel and being used in Gaza and Lebanon.
On Hezbollah’s part, there has always been a ceasefire proposal on the table. If there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, they will cease hostilities. This has always been the deal since October 8.
Ceasefire talk has been going on for months in Gaza, but every time they get close, the Israeli PM ups the ante and the talks fall apart. The Lebanese government has yet to react to the talks of a possible ceasefire and perhaps they will do that later through their UN ambassador in New York.
Lots of ‘enthusiasm’ in Israel for Lebanon offensive
Many in Israel see the continuing military operation in Lebanon, including last week’s pager explosions and recent air strikes, as a “success” against Hezbollah, according to Israeli investigative journalist Meron Rapoport.
However, the memories of Israel’s bloody wars in Lebanon in 1982 and 2006 still linger, leading to more hesitancy about a ground operation, Rapoport told Al Jazeera.
“I think if Israel really [waged] a ground operation, this will change things. And I think this is why Israel is still hesitant,” he said. Israel’s government “is talking about a ground operation, threatening a ground operation” but starting a ground operation, is “another story”, he added.
China tells its citizens not to go to Lebanon
The Chinese embassy in Lebanon has warned its citizens against travelling to the country amid Israel’s continuing air offensive. The embassy also activated an emergency response plan and advised citizens in Lebanon to leave.
Various countries have already urged their citizens to leave or avoid travelling to Lebanon this week, including Italy, Belgium, the UK, Russia, India, Australia and Malaysia.
Turkey preparing to evacuate citizens from Lebanon
Turkey is getting ready to potentially evacuate its citizens and foreign nationals from Lebanon, according to a Turkish defence ministry source cited by Reuters news agency. “Preliminary planning and preparations for a potential evacuation operation are being made,” the source said.
The report comes as Netanyahu said the news of a ceasefire with Hezbollah is “not true” and instructed his military to keep fighting with full force.
