Conflict between Israel and Lebanon and Ceasefire Calls
In a joint written statement, led by the United States of America and France and supported by eight other countries, a 21-day emergency ceasefire was called for to halt hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. While Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed this ceasefire call, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu did not respond to the temporary ceasefire proposal.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz stated that a ceasefire was not possible. Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz emphasised that they will continue to attack Hezbollah with all their forces with the statement that “there will be no ceasefire” in Lebanon. In his statement on social media, he said, “There will be no ceasefire in Lebanon. We will fight until we achieve victory against the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and to ensure the safe return of northern residents to their homes.” Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated that he did not respond to the request for a temporary ceasefire and that the news about the reduction of attacks in the north did not reflect the truth and said, “I have instructed the Israeli army to continue its attacks in the north with all its strength.”
The Israeli army carried out air strikes on the Lebanese-Syrian border. The Israeli army carried out airstrikes on a total of eight separate locations east and north of the Lebanese-Syrian border, claiming that they were being used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah. These attacks were carried out on the grounds of ‘arms transfer’ at border crossings. According to the data published by the Israeli army, three points in the east of the Lebanese-Syrian border and five points close to each other in the north were targeted.
The death toll in the clashes is increasing. As a result of the ongoing attacks, 677 people have been killed across Lebanon since 23 September and 150 to 180 thousand people have been forced to flee their homes. Lebanese people, who are heading towards ‘safer’ parts of the country, are moving towards the capital Beirut and northern regions. The Israeli army continues to carry out air strikes in the Bekaa and Baalbek regions as well as the southern cities.
Asylum Centres for the Displaced Established. Lebanese Interior Minister Bessam Mawlawi announced at a press conference held at the Ministry’s building in Beirut that 70,100 people displaced by Israeli attacks were placed in 533 shelter centres. The Minister emphasised that they paid attention to the safety of the sick and individuals with special needs among the displaced people. During this process, it was noted that approximately 13,500 Syrians left Lebanon and returned to their home countries.
