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This warning comes on the heels of a statement by Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir, who pledged that the military would respond severely to the intercepted rockets.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. (Reuters)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has sounded the alarm, warning that his country is on the precipice of a new conflict following Israel’s vow to retaliate against rocket attacks launched from Lebanese territory.Â
The prime minister’s concerns are well-founded, given the risks of renewed military operations along the southern border, which could spell disaster for Lebanon, potentially dragging the country into another catastrophic war.
“Salam warned of renewed military operations on the southern border, because of the risks they carry dragging the country into a new war, which will bring woes to Lebanon and the Lebanese people,” he said in a statement.
This warning comes on the heels of a statement by Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir, who pledged that the military would respond severely to the intercepted rockets. Zamir emphasised that Lebanon bears the responsibility of upholding the agreement.
Lebanon’s prime minister issued a strong warning that the country will defend itself if drawn into another conflict asserting that “all security and military measures must be taken to show that Lebanon decides on matters of war and peace.”
The current tensions threaten to upend the delicate ceasefire that brought an end to the year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
A fragile truce is on shaky ground due to a recent spike in rocket attacks. This has led former Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman to strongly criticise Prime Minister Netanyahu for failing to ensure the country’s security. “We’re seeing rockets coming from Gaza, Yemen, and Lebanon all in one day. The prime minister’s handling of the October 7 situation is putting Israel’s security at risk.”Â
Israel has retaliated against cross-border rocket fire with a barrage of artillery and airstrikes, putting additional strain on the already fragile truce. This escalation comes after nearly three months of relative calm was shattered by rockets launched from Lebanon into northern Israel.
Reuters has reported that the fresh escalation has brought the Middle East to a boiling point, with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterating his concerns that Israel’s attacks risk dragging his country into another war.