China ‘opposes infringements on Lebanon’s sovereignty’
China denounced “infringements on Lebanon’s sovereignty” after Israel said it launched a ground offensive against its neighbour.
“China … opposes infringements on Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and opposes any actions that exacerbate conflicts and lead to a further escalation of the regional situation,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
Israeli military calls up more reserve brigades
Israeli military says it was calling up four additional reserve brigades for operational missions on the northern border with Lebanon.
“This will enable the continuation of operational activity against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation and the achievement of operational goals, including the safe return of residents of northern Israel to their homes,” the military said in a statement.
Israel hits anti-aircraft radar stations in southern Syria: Report
Israel has struck at least three anti-aircraft radar stations in southern Syria, two unnamed Syrian military sources told the Reuters news agency.
The drone strikes hit two radar stations west of the city of Sweida, including one at an airbase in the area. Another hit a radar facility in the adjoining Deraa province.
They are part of the Syrian army’s air defences in the southern region, one of the sources added.
Is bombing self-defense equipment still self-defense? Israel is just striking out at everything around them.
‘Israel stuck in Gaza – same might happen now in Lebanon’
Israeli columnist Gideon Levy says Israel is at the first stage of its ground operation in Lebanon.
“Israel called more and more villages to be evacuated quite far from the border. It is clear that Israel is preparing a ground operation,” Levy said, but added it isn’t clear how far or how long it will take place.
Levy said Israel’s operation could become “complicated”.
“Look at Gaza. Israel is stuck in Gaza without any clue how and when it will get out of Gaza,” he said. “The same might happen now in Lebanon.”
‘World is passive, so Israel feels it can go on’
Gideon Levy reminded that Israel, in its two major wars it fought previously inside Lebanon, “always started in a very limited way, very limited scale”.
“I’m very afraid that it will repeat itself now, and that [the situation in] Gaza will happen in Lebanon,” Levy told Al Jazeera.
He said Israel is motivated by its recent military successes, such as the assassination of Hezbollah leaders including Hassan Nasrallah and the explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies.
“The world is totally passive, so Israel feels that it can go on,” Levy warned. “I think nothing is going to stop Israel from going on and this will cost the lives of many people, obviously.”
Smoke billows amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon, Tuesday
