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SvennoJ on 22 March 2025
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Lebanon’s foreign minister requests ‘pressure’ on Israel to end attacks

Youssef Rajji says on X that he has made a flurry of diplomatic contacts in an effort to bring an end to Israel’s escalating attacks on southern Lebanon.

Those contacts, according to Rajji, include the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt and France as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and two US diplomats, Morgan Ortagus and Natasha Franceschi.

“I requested that pressure be exercised on Israel to halt the aggression and escalation and to contain the dangerous situation on the southern border,” Rajji wrote.

‘Patience has its limits’: Hezbollah MP

Since the ceasefire came into effect in November, Hezbollah has almost fully halted its military operations against Israel, saying it is giving the Lebanese state the chance to address Israeli violations through diplomacy.

After the latest waves of Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Hassan Ezzeddine, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, said Israel is absolutely disregarding its agreements with the Lebanese government.

“This patience has its limits,” he told Al Mayadeen TV, referring to Hezbollah’s decision against responding to Israeli attacks. “At the end of the day, this resistance and its people and its citizens have a right to self-defence.”


Lebanon’s death toll rises to seven

The Lebanese Health Ministry says Israeli attacks killed seven people across the country today:

  • Five victims, including a child, in Touline.
  • One in Tyre.
  • One in Qlaileh.

The Israeli strikes also injured 40 people, according to the ministry.


Lebanese FM calls on Israel to allow Lebanon’s troops to south

Lebanese Finance Minister Yassin Jaber has urged Israel to “give the Lebanese army a chance” to deploy to the south of Lebanon in line with the terms of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah.

According to last year’s deal, the Lebanese army was to become the only armed force south of the Litani River, replacing Hezbollah’s longstanding military presence there.


Netanyahu adviser blames Lebanon for violence

Despite Israel’s refusal to fully withdraw from south Lebanon and its near-daily violations of the ceasefire, Netanyahu’s adviser, Ophir Falk, says Israel expects “Lebanon to take care of its part of the agreement”.

Falk told the Reuters news agency that Israel “will do whatever it takes to enforce the ceasefire and to make sure that our civilians can get back home safely and securely”.

Arab League chief backs Lebanon against Israeli ‘aggressions’

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit says he voiced support for Lebanon against Israeli “aggressions” during a call with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji.

“We will intensify our international calls to stop these aggressions and for the full implementation of commitments from both sides in accordance with the agreed upon ceasefire,” Aboul Gheit said in a social media post.