Lebanon Fears Israeli Escalation After Southern Strikes
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Lebanese journalist Joyce Khoury reported that recent Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon signal a potential escalation and could provoke Hezbollah retaliation. Israel has accused the Lebanese army of failing to control Hezbollah's activities, which Khoury suggests could be a pretext for further attacks. With 700,000 civilians returned to the south, there are heightened fears for their safety. International aid is contingent on Lebanon consolidating arms under state control, a process that has stalled, potentially allowing Israel to exploit internal divisions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Lebanese journalist Joyce Khoury warned of potential Israeli escalation and Hezbollah retaliation after recent southern strikes.
- Israel accuses the Lebanese army of failing to curb Hezbollah's activities, potentially justifying further strikes.
- Approximately 700,000 civilians have returned to southern Lebanon, increasing concerns for their safety.
- International aid to Lebanon is linked to the government consolidating arms under state control.
- Lebanese fears of a renewed war are growing, with some residents preparing to evacuate southern areas.
Joyce Khoury, the Arab TV correspondent in Lebanon, stated that recent Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, following a period of reduced activity, signal a potential shift in the Israeli military's approach and could prompt Hezbollah retaliation. She indicated that these strikes convey a message that suspicious movements near Israeli forces may lead to military operations. Consequently, some groups in southern Lebanon have been instructed to avoid visible cameras or exposed areas near the border. Khoury also addressed Israeli accusations that the Lebanese army is failing to curb Hezbollah's activities and is allowing the group to rebuild its capabilities. She suggested these statements might serve as pretexts for further escalation and targeting of civilian areas. With approximately 700,000 citizens having returned to southern Lebanon, Khoury expressed growing concern for civilian safety amidst ongoing strikes, expanding Israeli control, and a lack of political or diplomatic progress. Regarding international pressure on the Lebanese government to consolidate arms under state control, Khoury noted that while decisions have been made, implementation has stalled. She highlighted that France, the EU, and other Western and Arab nations are conditioning financial and military aid, including support for the Lebanese army, on the execution of these decisions. Khoury explained that the continued presence of arms outside state authority hinders aid and reconstruction efforts. She believes Israel may be exploiting internal divisions over this issue to deepen rifts within Lebanon. Khoury warned of increasing Lebanese fears of renewed war, evidenced by a rise in rental inquiries outside southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, and a state of anticipation among southern residents, some preparing to leave if escalation occurs. She emphasized that concerns about a new Israeli war on Lebanon are mounting, particularly in the remainder of the current year, due to persistent strikes and the unclear political and security trajectory of the country.
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