Conflict escalates: Israel and Hezbollah inch closer to total war
The conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah threatens to plunge the Middle East into total war, said the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell. He made this statement in reference to Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, which have killed at least 492 people.
"I can say we are almost in a full-fledged war," Borrell declared, attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He once again called for a ceasefire along the Blue Line between northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
The EU's chief diplomat condemned the fact that civilians "are paying an unbearable, unacceptable price."
We must do everything we can to stop it – for the sake of our own humanity, he said.
He also confirmed the failure of diplomatic efforts so far to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, Israeli air forces attacked southern Lebanon in the morning, as well as the northeastern Bekaa Valley. A "precision strike" was also carried out in the afternoon in Beirut. Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported in the evening that at least 492 people were killed and 1,600 were injured.
Intense shelling on both sides. Many casualties
Hezbollah began regular shelling on 8 October 2023 to support Palestinian Hamas fighting Israel in the Gaza Strip. The airstrikes by the Iran-backed group have been met with counter-attacks. So far, more than 600 people have been killed on the Lebanese side in the shelling, mainly Hezbollah fighters, and dozens of civilians and military personnel on the Israeli side.
Intense shelling on both sides has continued throughout the weekend. On Friday, Israel attacked Beirut, killing about 10 high-ranking Hezbollah commanders who were planning a ground invasion of northern Israel. A total of 37 people were killed in the airstrike, including seven women and three children, and 70 were injured.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, two series of coordinated explosions of electronic devices occurred in Lebanon. At least 40 people were killed, and about 3,000 were injured. Israel has not commented on the operation, but according to Western media, its services organised the attack. Hezbollah has vowed revenge on Israel.
