Turkey slams Israeli ground offensive in south Lebanon
The Turkish Foreign Ministry says Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon violates the country’s territorial sovereignty. The move is an illegal occupation attempt by Israel, a statement said, adding the operation must immediately end with Israeli forces withdrawing from Lebanon.
The UN Security Council must “do what is necessary” in line with international law, it said. It condemned Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon as an “unlawful invasion attempt”.
“This attack must end as soon as possible and Israeli soldiers must withdraw from Lebanese territory,” the statement said.
The aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday
Israeli forces tell residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate
The Israeli army has issued an “urgent” warning to residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately.
“The IDF [Israeli army] does not want to harm you, and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately,” the statement posted on X said. “Any home used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted.”
It added that residents should immediately head north of the Awali River, some 60km (36 miles) from the border and much farther than the Litani River, which marks the northern edge of a UN-declared zone that was intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after their war in 2006.
“Be careful, you are not allowed to go south. Going south could put your life in danger,” it said. “We will let you know when it is safe to return home.”
TV channel HQ in south Beirut destroyed in Israeli attack
Israeli fighter jets have attacked a television channel’s headquarters in Beirut, in what is described as the first targeting of a Lebanese media institution during the conflict. The late Monday attack levelled the building of the pro-Hezbollah As-Sirat TV channel in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Shortly before the attack, the Israeli army ordered staffers to leave, claiming the site was being used for producing “combat means”, according to Anadolu news agency. Hezbollah denied storing weapons inside civilian buildings, including the As-Sirat office.
No casualties were reported in the attack.
غارة اسرائيلية على مبنى قناة الصراط الثقافية https://t.co/mo6ASjBI0Y#lebanon24 pic.twitter.com/hWDOpz8K3M
— Lebanon 24 (@Lebanon24) October 1, 2024
UNIFIL says Israel informed it before attacks, peacekeepers ‘in position’
The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon says the Israeli army notified it of its intention to undertake a limited ground offensive into the country.
UNIFIL said in a statement that despite the developments, peacekeepers remain in position. It urged all actors to step back from escalatory acts.
“Any crossing into Lebanon is in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of resolution 1701,” UNIFIL said.
UNSC’s Resolution 1701 ended the monthlong war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 and called for a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers as the only armed forces south of the Litani River.
Peacekeepers have failed miserably. UNIFIL is useless.
