Hochstein says will seek a ceasefire resolution in 'Israel': Mikati

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Oct 2024 16:15

Lebanon's caretaker PM says Beirut is awaiting the results of the US presidential envoy's communications amid a pessimistic atmosphere due to the ongoing Israeli escalation and war crimes.

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Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivers his remarks during the 78th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, United States, on September 21, 2023. (UN)

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on Wednesday that he was informed by US presidential envoy Amos Hochstein that he would seek a ceasefire solution in "Israel" to pave the way for discussions on the full implementation of Resolution 1701.

Mikati indicated that Lebanon is awaiting the results of Hochstein's communications, expressing concerns that the ongoing Israeli escalation, coupled with Israeli positions and threats, does not inspire optimism, at least in the short term.

He emphasized, "The threats made by the Israeli enemy against Lebanese civilians, including the evacuation of entire cities and the displacement of people from their homes, constitute an additional war crime added to the series of crimes committed by the Israeli enemy, including killing, destruction, and sabotage."

#AlMayadeen's correspondent, Mouhamad Sahili, reported from #Budnayel in Bekaa on a devastating Israeli airstrike that struck a residential building, leaving multiple families in pieces and around a nine-meter crater.

It is worth noting that the Israeli massacre, which followed… pic.twitter.com/CVbkc5yoUI
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 31, 2024

Mikati indicated that he has communicated this position to key diplomatic bodies, urging them to apply increased pressure on "Israel" to halt its aggression and its unacceptable approach by international and humanitarian standards.

Additionally, he held a series of diplomatic meetings and ministerial discussions at the Grand Serail today.

'Israel' intensifies aggression, kills 6 Lebanese medics in 3 hours

The Israeli occupation deliberately targeted an assembly point where the Civil Defense's Islamic Health Authority had gathered, in the Dardghaya junction, in the Tyre district, killing four medics, the Lebanese Health Ministry revealed.

In a statement, the Ministry revealed that "Israel" targeted another Islamic Health Authority location, this time in the town of Selaa, in the Tyre district. Although their vehicle was set ablaze, the medics miraculously survived.

However, in Deir al-Zahrani, South Lebanon, the Israeli entity struck an ambulance, leading to the martyrdom of one medic and the injury of two others.

In Zefta, Nabatieh, an Israeli airstrike bombarded another ambulance, killing a medic and injuring two more.

The Lebanese Health Ministry stated that it was witnessing a series of attacks on medics, amounting to four consecutive assaults over a period of three hours only, raising the death toll of medical workers and volunteers in Lebanon to 178 since the start of the aggression on Lebanon, alongside 279 injuries and 246 destroyed vehicles.

"The international community's silence toward this brutality is unjustified, during a time when efforts should be exerted to abide by international law and put an end to this monstrous machine that continues to target working crews on the frontlines."

'Israel' targets vehicles, intensifies aggression

A Lebanese soldier was killed after the occupation targeted his motorbike in al-Amiriyah, South Lebanon, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent.

An Israeli drone also struck a car on the road to Arayya, Aley district.

In western Bekaa, another Israeli drone targeted a car in the town of al-Qar'oun, after another motorbike was struck in the same area as well, killing one civilian.

In Sohmor, western Bekaa, the Israeli occupation launched three airstrikes. Three civilians were martyred in two of the airstrikes, while others were injured.

The Israeli occupation carried out a series of airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling on the border village of Khiam, while Hezbollah Resistance fighters continue to confront Israeli infantry forces trying to infiltrate the town.

Additionally, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon reported civilian martyrs and injuries as a result of the latest Israeli raid that targeted the town of Rzay, Saida district.

This morning, the occupation launched an airstrike on the town of Jebshit, southern Lebanon.

The National News Agency reported that the Israeli occupation opened fire with heavy machine guns at dawn toward the forests adjacent to the towns of Ramya, Ayta al-Shaab, and Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

Warplanes also carried out an airstrike on the town of Deir al-Zahrani at midnight, resulting in the martyrdom of three individuals.

After midnight, the occupation's artillery targeted the outskirts of the towns of al-Qlayaa and Burj al-Muluk with artillery shells from the area adjacent to Khiam.

Massacres across Baalbek

On Wednesday, a series of violent airstrikes resulted in the martyrdom of civilians and dozens of injuries in Baalbek. Search efforts are still ongoing among the rubble of the residential building targeted by the occupation in Bodnayel, Baalbek, which killed a number of civilians from two different families.

Our correspondent in Baalbek reported that the death toll from the Bodnayel massacre has risen to 8 martyrs, with 6 bodies recovered. He also confirmed that 23 martyrs were killed in total in the Israeli airstrikes on the Baalbek district yesterday, along with 15 martyrs and 11 injuries in the Israeli airstrikes on the town of Sohmor.

12 civilians were martyred in the Beit Sulaibi massacre, with search operations still ongoing to find the last missing person.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent said the Israeli occupation carried out a heavy strike near Dar al-Amal Hospital in Baalbek.

Lebanon's Health Ministry announced that the toll of the Israeli aggression has risen to 2,822 martyrs, and 12,937 wounded as of Tuesday, with 30 killed and 165 wounded.