Lebanon Calls for International Investigation into Strike in Israeli-Annexed Golan Heights
Lebanon has called for an international investigation into a strike that killed 12 people, including children, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The Lebanese government has condemned all acts of violence and attacks against civilians, emphasizing that targeting civilians is a violation of international law. Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and militant group, has denied any involvement in the incident and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of bombing the village of Majdal Shams, but Hezbollah has categorically denied these claims. Former head of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, has warned against the Israeli enemy’s actions, stating that they aim to ignite strife and fragment the region. In response to the incident, Israel carried out intense raids on several villages in southern Lebanon, causing widespread destruction.
The Lebanese government has called for an international investigation to uncover the truth behind the attack. Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib stated that Hezbollah has been targeting military sites and not civilians throughout the war. He suggested that the attack might have been planned by other organizations or could be an Israeli mistake. The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the head of the UNIFIL mission have condemned the death of civilians in Majdal Shams and called for maximum restraint from all parties involved.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an important channel of communication with Hezbollah, affirmed Lebanon’s commitment to UN Resolution 1701 and the rules of engagement. He stated that neither Lebanon nor Hezbollah is responsible for the incident. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti confirmed that the organization is in contact with the parties involved to diffuse the tension.
US mediator to the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, expressed concern over the escalating situation and contacted Walid Jumblatt to discuss the issue. Jumblatt emphasized that targeting civilians is rejected and condemned, regardless of the location. Activists and supporters on TV channels and social media platforms have also denied Hezbollah’s involvement, pointing out that there are no settlers in Majdal Shams for the party to target.
Despite Hezbollah’s denial, the Israeli army continues to hold the party responsible for launching the rocket. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Hezbollah will pay for the incident. The Israeli Chief of Staff, Gen. Herzi Halevi, inspected the football field that was hit and confirmed that the rocket was fired by Hezbollah. He emphasized that firing such a rocket towards a populated area shows an intention to kill civilians.
The Israeli raids on Lebanon have caused panic among residents and resulted in significant damage to houses and apartments. The regular raids have been ongoing since the start of hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. In response to the attacks, Hezbollah targeted the positioning of Israeli soldiers in the Manara settlement.
The situation remains tense, with Hezbollah on high alert and evacuating key sites in eastern and southern Lebanon. France and Norway have advised their citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon and Israel and have asked those in the country to leave. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for a peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation and protect civilian lives.
In conclusion, Lebanon has called for an international investigation into the strike in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Hezbollah has denied any involvement, and the Lebanese government has condemned all acts of violence against civilians. The Israeli army continues to hold Hezbollah responsible for the incident and vows that the party will pay. The situation remains tense, with both sides on high alert. The international community is urging maximum restraint and a peaceful resolution to prevent further casualties and damage.