Canada says Israeli incursions in Lebanon not full-scale invasion
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Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair told reporters that Canada is monitoring the situation with growing concern and continues to advocate for a ceasefire.
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Canada's Minister of National Defense Bill Blair says he does not see incursions by the Israel Occupation Forces into southern Lebanon as a full-scale invasion but they could be in preparation for one. (Agencies)
Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair stated on Tuesday that Canada does not view the Israeli Occupation Forces' incursions into southern Lebanon as a full-scale invasion, but noted that they could be a prelude to one.
"At the current time we understand and it's now without precedent that there are some incursions, and some raids have been taking place immediately across the border," Blair told reporters. "From our perspective it does not amount to a full-scale invasion, but it could be preparatory to that."
Canada is monitoring the situation with growing concern and continues to advocate for a ceasefire, Blair claimed, adding that Ottawa remains in close coordination with its allies in an effort to assist with a diplomatic resolution.
"I don’t want to use escalatory language. We are still working toward a ceasefire and a diplomatic resolution of this conflict," Blair told reporters.
Read more: Russia, China condemn Israeli invasion of Lebanon
This comes in light of heightened escalations amid the start of "Israel's" "localized and targeted" aggression of Lebanon.
Resistance groups across the region have intensified their attacks on "Israel" since the martyrdom of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
US positions in the region have likewise been targeted by Resistance groups in Iraq, including a strike on the US military's Victoria base near Baghdad Airport, which occurred late Monday into Tuesday.
The Yemeni Armed Forces have also struck Israeli military targets earlier today using long-range multi-purpose one-way assault Samad 4 drone.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues its operations targeting Israeli movements within the occupied Palestinian territories.
Iran launched a response to the Israeli assassinations of martyrs Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Nasrallah, and Iranian General Abbas Nilforoushan earlier, launching hundreds of rockets toward occupied Palestine.
Read more: Iranian response has begun: Sirens sounded all over 'Israel'
On Monday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters said the US is increasing its military presence in the Middle East by deploying a "few thousand" additional troops.
According to a statement, this includes bringing in new units and extending the stay of those already stationed there.
"A certain number of units already deployed to the Middle East region... will be extended and the forces due to rotate into theater to replace them will now instead augment" those that are already there, Singh said.
"These augmented forces include F-16, F-15E, A-10, F-22 fighter aircraft and associated personnel," Singh added, noting that there will be "an additional few thousand" personnel in the region as a result.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
