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🇱🇧 Lebanon /Conflict & Security

Israeli report claims that Israel may 'attack Beirut' in coming days

From Naharnet · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Israeli officials suggest Israel may attack Beirut in the coming days following Hezbollah rocket attacks.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu is holding security consultations amid escalating tensions.
  • A fragile ceasefire, brokered by Donald Trump, has been repeatedly violated by both sides.

Israeli officials have indicated that Israel might launch an attack on Beirut in the coming days, escalating tensions with Hezbollah. This comes after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on northern Israel. The Israeli army stated it would be capable of attacking across Lebanon, including Beirut, if Hezbollah commits any violations.

If any violation occurs by Hezbollah, the Israeli army will be able to attack throughout Lebanon, including Beirut.

— Israeli officialsQuoted by Israel's Channel 14, indicating the potential for a wider Israeli military response.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold special security consultations regarding the situation in Lebanon and a potential response to Hezbollah's actions. Earlier on Wednesday, an Israeli drone strike near Beirut killed a Hezbollah member. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter accused Hezbollah of firing rockets at Kiryat Shmona, calling it a violation of a ceasefire understanding.

This is Hezbollah's idea of a ceasefire.

— Yechiel LeiterIsraeli Ambassador to the U.S., lamenting Hezbollah's actions after they claimed a rocket attack on northern Israel.

Leiter reminded that Israel had agreed to hold back from striking Hezbollah command centers in Beirut on the condition that Hezbollah would cease attacking Israeli towns. He emphasized that the morning's attack was a clear breach of this understanding. U.S. President Donald Trump had announced a deal to halt attacks on Beirut and Israeli territory, which was brokered after he expressed anger over Israel's decision to resume bombing Beirut's southern suburbs.

It should be remembered that Israel agreed to refrain from striking Hezbollah command centers in Beirut on the condition that Hezbollah would stop attacking Israeli towns and villages.

— Yechiel LeiterIsraeli Ambassador to the U.S., reminding of the terms of a previous understanding regarding attacks on Beirut.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Israeli and Lebanese diplomats are engaged in direct talks in Washington as part of the fourth round of negotiations. A truce intended to halt the fighting was meant to take effect on April 17 but has not been observed, with both parties citing the other's alleged violations as justification for their continued attacks. Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qmati stated Tuesday that the group would not accept a partial ceasefire.

This morning's attack is yet another blatant violation of that understanding.

— Yechiel LeiterIsraeli Ambassador to the U.S., referring to Hezbollah's rocket attack on northern Israel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Naharnet. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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