Former Israeli official: ‘Nobody benefits from such a war’
Israel has been weakened from nearly a year of war in Gaza and the prospect of a protracted conflict in the region has its population worried, former Israeli Foreign Ministry director general Alon Liel says.
“We are celebrating our New Year and everybody is [evaluating] the year that passed – what happened to us and to the region – and the general mood is quite gloomy,” Liel said. “Most Israelis will admit this year has weakened Israel socially, economically, maybe even militarily, and nobody benefits from such a war.”
Liel told Al Jazeera while he believes diplomatic options are available to Israel in Gaza and Lebanon, “the diplomatic arm was paralysed and not used – maybe intentionally”.
Commenting on the announced ground offensive in southern Lebanon, he said the Israeli public believes this will be a rapid operation, but such military undertakings “have a nature of their own and can deteriorate”.
Israeli attack on central Beirut killed 7 health and rescue workers
The Israeli raid on the Lebanese capital Beirut killed seven health and rescue workers, a medical organisation says.
The air attack on the residential Bashoura district hit an apartment in a multi-story building that houses an office of the Health Society, a group of civilian first responders. It was the closest attack yet to the central downtown district of Beirut, where the United Nations and government offices are.
This was the second attack against the Health Society in 24 hours. No Israeli warning was issued to the area before it was hit. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
Hezbollah claims 7 separate attacks on Israeli forces
Lebanon’s Hezbollah says its fighters have targeted Israeli soldiers “with a rocket salvo” near the Adamit settlement and with two Burkan missiles in the vicinity of the Raheb military site, both in northern Israel.
Shortly before the two attacks, Hezbollah claimed to have hit Israeli troops in an area between Shtula and Raheb. The fourth attack of the day came “with artillery shells” fired at the Fatima Gate, a former border crossing between Lebanon and Israel, where Hezbollah said the Israeli soldiers were attempting to advance.
At 09:15am (06:15 GMT), there was another Hezbollah rocket salvo, this time targeting Israeli forces in the settlement of Yarin in Upper Galilee.
Shortly before that attack, Hezbollah claimed to hit Israeli soldiers in the Misgav Am settlement with a missile, and shelled another group of Israeli forces at the Hanita military base.
Death toll rises in Beirut attack: Health Ministry
The death toll from Israeli air attacks on central Beirut in Lebanon’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh has risen to nine, according to the Health Ministry. It added that the number of people wounded in the attack has also risen to 14.
Israel accused of firing white phosphorus munition in Beirut attack
Israel’s deadly attack on a building in the district of Bashoura, near parliament, was the closest a strike has come to central downtown Beirut since the bombing campaign began last week.
Residents reported a sulfur-like smell following the attack, and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency accused Israel of using phosphorous bombs, without providing evidence. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.
Human rights groups have in the past accused Israel of using white phosphorus incendiary shells on towns and villages in southern Lebanon.
