South Africa denounces Israel’s ‘indiscriminate’ attacks on Lebanon
Pretoria expressed concern regarding the recent escalation of “extrajudicial killings”, most notably the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other leaders in Lebanon.
“The scale of injuries caused by Israel’s indiscriminate explosions is deeply troubling and warrants strong condemnation from the international community,” South Africa’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Such attacks on civilians constitute a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. These actions serve to exacerbate an already tense situation in the Middle East and appear to be aimed at undermining international peace efforts in the region.
“We stand in solidarity with the government of Lebanon during this challenging time and express our support in the aftermath of these ongoing attacks.”
UN chief urges all sides to step back from the brink in Lebanon
The head of the United Nations is urging all sides to “step back from the brink” following the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut over the last 24 hours, his spokesman said.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes “this cycle of violence must stop now”, Stephane Dujarric said. “The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war.”
Guterres urged both sides to recommit to the full implementation of the 2006 UN Security Council resolution that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, “and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities”, Dujarric said.
Biden calls for ceasefire now in Lebanon
Asked by reporters if an Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon was inevitable, US President Joe Biden said on Saturday: “It’s time for a ceasefire now.”
Asked if the US would respond to missile attacks on its warships in the Red Sea, Biden said: “We’re responding.”
Israeli society ‘giddy’ over killing of Hezbollah leader
Ori Goldberg, a political analyst based in Israel, says that “the broad consensus in Israeli society that supports war is giddy with excitement at the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah”.
“For most Israelis, there is support for this government’s policy. It is probably the greatest support this government has seen since the war on Gaza began,” Goldberg told Al Jazeera.
He said that many Israelis are excited about “the new beginning in the Middle East … of the Lebanese rising in revolt against Hezbollah, of Israel freeing the Iraqis, Iranians, the Yemenis from their tyrannical terrorist rulers”.
Goldberg added that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s moves in Lebanon are political and not about “security”.
“The truth is, he has very few options. Israel does not want to commit to a ground invasion of Lebanon. What we’re more likely to see is … a few more days of concentrated Israeli bombing that allows Israel to have its ‘mission accomplished’ moment.”
