The Israeli war cabinet approved late Monday the invasion of Southern Lebanon, declaring a new phase of war on the country.
Israel has launched what it has described as “limited, localized, and targeted” ground invasion of southern Lebanon, marking an escalation in its continuing offensive.
Israeli army claimed in a statement that it was conducting targeted raids on villages near the border, saying these areas “pose an immediate and tangible threat to Israeli settlements along the northern border.”
Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military declared three areas in southern Lebanon as “closed military zones”, while Lebanese troops pulled back five kilometres from their positions on the southern border.
Strikes on southern Beirut continued as the ground raids began with heavy shelling, air strikes and drone strikes preceded the ground operation in southern Lebanon.
According to Israeli army statement regarding the operation titled “Northern Arrows”, Israel’s air force and infantry forces accompanied Israel’s ground forces, in which Israeli tanks and soldiers have been massing at the northern border for days.
Calls to Step Back from All-Out War
As the invasion has marked a new episode of Israeli atrocities in the region, leaders from across the world have urged a ceasefire and called on Tuesday to step back from the brink of all-out war.
UAE
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE expressed “deep concern” over the escalation in fighting and “reaffirmed its unwavering position towards the unity of Lebanon, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
The statement also called for international support to prevent further escalation and stressed the importance of providing full protection to civilians according to international law.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has “directed the delivery of an urgent $100m relief package to the people of Lebanon,” the note added.
Qatar
Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, warned on X that “aggression on Lebanon will inflict the worst”.
“Now more than ever, it needs our unwavering support to safeguard the country’s integrity and security. Standing with the brotherly people of Lebanon is not just a moral duty, but an imperative necessity,” he said.
United States
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that he had told Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant that Washington agrees on the need for a ground offensive to rid Lebanon’s southern border area of Hezbollah weapons and other means it can use to carry out attacks across the border.
“I made it clear that the United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself,” Austin said.
The White House National Security Council made a similar statement on Tuesday, justifying Israel’s “limited operations.”
It also added that it remains against the expansion of the ground assault and that a diplomatic solution is the only way to achieve lasting stability along Israel’s border with Lebanon.
The US State Department on Monday confirmed that Israel is conducting “limited” ground operations in southern Lebanon.
“This is what they have informed us that they are currently conducting, which are limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.
Spain
Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on X that “Spain calls for a cease-fire in Lebanon and for everyone to restrain themselves in order to stop the escalation of violence in the Middle East.”
“We must protect Lebanese civilians,” Albares said. “Peace is our goal.”
Jaban
Japan’s government also expressed “serious concern” and urged maximum restraint to prevent a further escalation of the conflict.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called for an immediate ceasefire, adding that all measures must be taken to prevent civilian casualties, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.
According to Hayashi, Tokyo is also making efforts to ensure the safety of some 50 Japanese nationals in Lebanon.
NATO’s incoming chief, Mark Rutte, said he is “following closely what is happening in Lebanon” and expressed hope that “hostilities will end as soon as possible.”
Lebanon
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned that his country is facing “one of the most dangerous phases of its history” and urged the United Nations to provide aid for one million people displaced by Israel’s attacks over recent weeks.
“We urgently call for more aid to reinforce our ongoing efforts to provide basic support to displaced civilians,” Mikati said in a meeting with UN representatives.
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