Iran unlikely to risk national interests for Lebanon or Palestine: Analyst
There seems to be an overwhelming desire on the part of Israel – both its establishment and society – to continue with the war in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara.
“They want to finish off Hezbollah, whatever that means, and to create enough of a schism between Hezbollah and the Iranians and the Lebanese society or the Lebanese state,” he said.
Bishara added that Israel believes it has eroded Hezbollah’s capabilities and now is the time to double down until most of the group’s rocket launchers are destroyed. “Of course, they are also trying to look at what this really means regionally, whether Iran and its allies will respond, and this really becomes a regionalised war,” he said.
But Iran does not seem to be interested in a confrontation with Israel, he noted. “The new president and the Iranian establishment, as well as Iran in general, are not ready to pay any price for what is happening in Lebanon or Palestine. Iran will continue to support its allies but not at the risk of the Iranian national interest,” Bishara said.
UN chief ‘gravely concerned’ by ‘dramatic escalation’ in Lebanon
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “gravely concerned” by the “dramatic escalation” seen in Lebanon in the past day, his spokesperson has said in a statement, as Israel continues to pound Beirut and other areas.
“This cycle of violence must stop now, and all sides must step back from the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war,” the statement added.
US State Department orders certain employees to leave Lebanon
The US State Department on Saturday ordered certain employees and their family members to depart Lebanon as the conflict threatens to deepen following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The ordered departure of non-emergency personnel is not an evacuation of the entire embassy, but it does reflect the increased volatility in the country and its capital of Beirut.
“On September 28 the Department of State ordered the departure of non-mission-employed EFMs and authorized departure for mission-employed EFMs (eligible family members) and non-essential USDH (US direct hire) employees due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in Beirut,” the State Department said in an updated travel advisory.
“U.S. Embassy Beirut personnel are restricted from personal travel without advance permission,” it said, noting that additional travel restrictions could be imposed “with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.”
The department said commercial flights are still available “at reduced capacity,” but noted that those options could become unavailable should the security situation become worse.
Earlier Saturday, the State Department launched a form for US citizens in Lebanon who are interested in assistance departing the country.
