Netanyahu urges Lebanese civilians to evacuate, says ‘Hezbollah using you as human shields’ as death toll climbs to 558
- In Reports
- 05:25 PM, Sep 24, 2024
- Myind Staff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Lebanese civilians, urging them to evacuate as Israel intensifies its air campaign against Hezbollah. In a recorded message, Netanyahu stated, “Israel’s war is not with you. It’s with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields… Starting this morning, the IDF has warned you to get out of harm’s way. I urge you, take this warning seriously. Don’t let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones… Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes.”
This urgent plea comes in the wake of Israel launching its most widespread airstrikes against Hezbollah targets, resulting in at least 558 casualties, including 50 children and 94 women, according to Lebanese tallies. The latest attacks represent the deadliest military engagement in Lebanon since the 2006 conflict, with Israeli forces targeting numerous Hezbollah installations amid one of the heaviest exchanges of cross-border fire in nearly a year of escalating conflict.
The Israeli military has shifted its focus to its northern border as Hezbollah has intensified rocket fire into Israeli territory in solidarity with Hamas, which has been engaged in an ongoing war with Israel in Gaza. In the wake of targeted airstrikes that reportedly killed senior Hezbollah leaders, including Ibrahim Aqil, the group has retaliated with rocket attacks on Israeli military installations, including an explosives factory and military airfields deep within Israeli territory.
The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed extreme alarm over the sharp escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, emphasising the need for immediate measures to protect civilians. In a broader context, the international community has been increasingly concerned about the potential for the conflict to spiral into a larger regional war.
Turkey has also voiced strong opposition to Israel’s actions in Lebanon, condemning the airstrikes as attempts to “drag the region into chaos.” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with leaders from Greece, Germany, Iran, and Kuwait at the UN General Assembly to discuss the situation in Gaza and called for accountability for Israel's military actions. Erdoğan emphasised to the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, that Israel’s government has trampled international law and human rights.
Meanwhile, the U.S. administration, through White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, reiterated its concerns regarding the rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Jean-Pierre stated, “It’s in everyone’s interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically,” underscoring the need for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza to alleviate regional tensions.
A U.S. State Department official disclosed that Washington has developed “concrete ideas” to help de-escalate the conflict and intends to present these proposals to allies and partners during this week’s UN General Assembly sessions. The details of these ideas remain undisclosed as they are still undergoing evaluation for their potential effectiveness.
In the midst of the turmoil, Palestinians in Gaza express fears that their plight may be overshadowed by the conflict with Hezbollah. Nezar Zaqout, a resident of Khan Younis who was displaced from Gaza City, voiced concern over the lack of media attention to their suffering, stating, “We have become completely forgotten… There is no news about us in the media.” Many families, having endured months of displacement and violence, worry that the international community will lose interest in their dire living conditions.
As the conflict continues, Israeli military officials indicated that operations against Hezbollah are in their “next phases.” Military Chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi noted that the IDF is focused on targeting Hezbollah infrastructure developed over the past two decades to allow displaced Israelis in the north to return home safely.
Hezbollah, for its part, has indicated its determination to retaliate for the recent electronic device bombings and has claimed its attacks against Israel are in support of Hamas. The group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has warned that the barrages will not cease until Israel’s military campaign in Gaza concludes.
As the violence escalates, both sides face mounting casualties and a humanitarian crisis. Israel’s military spokesperson has stated that since the beginning of the conflict last October, Hezbollah has launched over 9,000 rockets and drones into Israel, including approximately 250 on a single day last week. Israeli forces have reportedly struck 1,600 Hezbollah targets, emphasising that many were concealed in civilian areas, turning southern Lebanon into a war zone.
The deteriorating situation raises significant concerns about the broader implications for regional stability as diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution amid ongoing violence.
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