Lebanese PM accuses Israel of 'scorched-earth policy'

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has accused Israel of pursuing a "scorched-earth policy" and "collective punishment" in the country's south, urging an immediate halt to the escalating conflict. His strong condemnation came as Israel conducted fresh airstrikes and issued evacuation warnings for numerous locations.

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pursuing a scorched-earth policy and collective punishment

In a televised address, Salam warned of a "dangerous" escalation, stating that Israel's actions, which he described as "destroying towns and villages and forcing their inhabitants into exile," would bring "neither security nor stability" to Israel. This statement followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of deeper incursions into Lebanon.

Despite the intense fighting, Salam defended his government's participation in security talks with Israel, facilitated by the United States. Military delegations from both nations met in Washington on Friday, with further US-brokered negotiations scheduled for the following week. Salam acknowledged that the outcome of these talks is "not guaranteed" but deemed them "the least costly path for our country and our people."

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This will bring neither security nor stability to Israel.

The fragile truce that officially began on April 17 has been consistently violated by both Israel and Hezbollah, with each side accusing the other of breaches. The recent US-mediated talks, while productive on a military level, did not explicitly mention the truce. Hezbollah, however, strongly opposes direct negotiations with Israel.

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the least costly path for our country and our people

Meanwhile, the conflict continues. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported Israeli attacks in the south, and the Lebanese military stated two soldiers were seriously wounded by an Israeli drone. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on northern Israel and clashes in southern Lebanon, asserting that Israeli forces had not yet secured control of several towns. The Israeli military reported over 25 projectiles launched from Lebanon, prompting air alert sirens in northern Israeli cities.

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productive military-to-military discussions