Israeli attacks intensify in Lebanon, 12 including military officer killed, tension increases

Beirut, Lebanon). The conditional military ceasefire (ceasefire) declared in Washington between Israel and Lebanon with the mediation of America proved to be a sham. 12 people died in Israel’s latest attack. Lebanon’s military chief was also among the dead.

Officials confirmed that an army chief, a captain and a soldier were killed. He died while traveling on Khardali-Nabatih road. The army chief had to reach Pakistan. His life was taken away before he could reach Pakistan.

Lebanon’s President and Prime Minister have described the targeting of the country’s military chief (Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces) Brigadier General Rudolf Hackel as an attack on the country’s sovereignty. Many countries have also strongly condemned this attack.

According to Al Jazeera report, Israel wreaked havoc on Lebanon on June 6. The Lebanese army has confirmed that an Israeli airstrike destroyed a military vehicle considered impenetrable on the Khardali-Nabatieh road.

The supreme commander of the army, a captain and a soldier were killed. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the attack occurred in an active war zone. Movement in this area requires coordination with the Israeli Army. The IDF said the incident is being investigated.

“Israel’s deliberate and repeated brutality and aggression are aimed at thwarting all efforts to reach a solution,” the Lebanese army said. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a “blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and international laws and regulations.”

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called it “a despicable crime and an attack on Lebanon and all Lebanese people.” In the statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Salam expressed his condolences to the families and colleagues of Brigadier General Wassam Sabra, Captain Eli Khoury and soldier Hussein Ghojal, as well as the Lebanese army.

The Lebanese army said its supreme commander Rudolf Hackl was heading to Pakistan for talks with his Pakistani counterpart Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian armed militant group operating in Lebanon, described the attack as a “despicable crime”. It also accused the Lebanese government of pushing the country into bloodshed by “completely surrendering to the demands of the enemy in Washington.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai said the killings once again prove that Israel is “claiming every part of Lebanon”. Baghai said this is a despicable crime by Lebanon against its army and its sovereignty.

It is clear that Israel does not want security, stability or prosperity in Lebanon.” Saudi Arabia has condemned this attack and Israel’s continued aggression against the friendly country, the Republic of Lebanon.

Jordan said it was a “blatant violation of the sovereignty, security and stability of friendly country Lebanon and a clear violation of international law”. Qatar described it as a “dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry appealed to the international community to intervene. The time has come to force Israel to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said such attacks were a serious violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and Security Council Resolution 1701. This United Nations resolution ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

Apart from this, Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said that six people were killed and four others were injured in an Israeli air strike in Saksakiya village in Sidon district. Another person was killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a car in Deir al-Zahrani, Nabatieh district.

Israel’s military said it has struck about 150 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in the past two days. These include weapons storage facilities, command centres, rocket launchers and infrastructure sites.

The Israeli army said late Saturday that two of its soldiers had been killed in southern Lebanon. On the other hand, Hezbollah has claimed to have blown up the Israeli post in Bint Jbeil area in a drone attack.

What is important is that the ceasefire has been going on since April 17. Till now it has never been fully followed. Hezbollah and Israel have frequently accused each other of violations.

A couple of days ago, Lebanese and Israeli envoys in Washington announced a conditional military ceasefire. Hezbollah leader Naim Qasim had said that he would not accept this military ceasefire. Any agreement can be valid only upon Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

It is noteworthy that Israel and Hezbollah keep fighting. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army has historically avoided confrontation and has not become involved in the current conflict. He is shocked by the death of his commander.

Hezbollah started air strikes against Israel in support of Iran from March 2. At least 3,593 people have been killed and 10,990 others injured in Israeli strikes across Lebanon since March 2, according to new figures from Lebanon’s Health Ministry.