Hezbollah denies Israeli troops crossed into Lebanon
Hezbollah has denied that Israeli forces crossed into southern Lebanon after Israel said its forces were carrying out “limited” raids there. “All Zionist claims that [Israeli] occupation forces have entered Lebanon are false,” Hezbollah media relations official Muhammad Afif told Al Jazeera.
He added there had “not yet been any direct ground clashes between [Hezbollah] resistance fighters and occupation forces”.
“Our fighters are ready to confront enemy forces that dare or attempt to enter Lebanon,” he said.
Israel, Lebanon telling ‘their versions of truth’ about ground offensive
Ori Goldberg, an Israeli political commentator and lecturer at Reichman University, says he doesn’t believe that Israel is lying about sending ground troops into Lebanon despite Hezbollah’s denial.
“It’s a grey area,” he told Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv. “This isn’t an invasion force. This isn’t an expeditionary force. There are no tanks. There are no infantry troops. These are mostly commando units.”
Goldberg said it is possible that Israeli forces are likely focusing on known Hezbollah installations or similar targets.
“So, in that sense, if Hezbollah was expecting an invasion, then Hezbollah’s statements are correct. Israel, however, has been exactly saying that this is what the force is,” he said. “So both sides are telling their version of the truth.”
Israel defence minister briefs Pentagon chief on Lebanon assault
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says he spoke overnight with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on its ground offensive in southern Lebanon.
“We agreed on the importance of dismantling attack infrastructure along the northern border to prevent attacks by Hezbollah against Israeli citizens. I briefed the Secretary on the localized and targeted raids … against Hezbollah targets,” said Gallant.
“We also discussed ongoing threats posed by Iran and its proxies in Iraq, Yemen and Syria. Emphasized the importance of US force posture and the interoperability of US and Israeli defensive capabilities.”
Spoke overnight with U.S. @SecDef about developments in the northern arena and the measures required to ensure the safe return of Israel's northern communities to their homes. We agreed on the importance of dismantling attack infrastructure along the northern border to prevent…
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) October 1, 2024
Unleashed ‘monster’ must be stopped, Qatari minister says
Lolwah Alkhater, Qatar’s minister for international cooperation, has sharply criticised Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
“A monster has been unleashed in our region. A monster that uses prohibited weapons and methods that target civilians indiscriminately,” she wrote on X, referring to Israel.
She added that the “monster … didn’t adhere to a single decision by the Security Council” and violates international law daily.
“And yet, it continues to receive not only the blessings of some international actors, but also their weapons and taxpayers money. The Israeli Occupation EXCEPTIONALISM above international law MUST STOP,” she wrote.
“Unless we stand united to stop it, this military and political bullying will destroy the entire region.”
🇱🇧🇵🇸
A monster has been unleashed in our region. A monster that uses prohibited weapons and methods that target civilians indiscriminately. A monster that didn’t adhere to a single decision by the Security Council, a monster that violates international law and international…
— لولوة الخاطر Lolwah Alkhater (@Lolwah_Alkhater) October 1, 2024
