International, Arab condemnations of Israeli aggression on Lebanon
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Several countries have condemned the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, calling for unified international efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.
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Smoke and flames rise from an Israeli airstrike on Mahmoudiyeh mountains, as seen from Marjayoun town, south Lebanon, on September 21, 2024. (AP)
International condemnations of Israeli aggression on Lebanon continue to mount, with global leaders denouncing the attacks that have left hundreds dead and wounded. Many have issued warnings about the potential for the war to escalate to a regional war.
Saudi Arabia warns of escalation
For its part, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the unfolding security developments in Lebanon. It reiterated its warning about the dangers of escalating violence in the region and emphasized the severe repercussions such an escalation could have on regional security and stability.
The ministry urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to shield the region and its people from the dangers of war. It emphasized the importance of maintaining Lebanon's stability and respecting its sovereignty in accordance with international law.
Jordan: De-escalation begins with immediate cessation of war on Gaza
Jordanian King Abdullah II reaffirmed his country's unwavering support for Lebanon, emphasizing Lebanon's security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens in the face of the ongoing Israeli war against it.
During a phone call on Monday with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, King Abdullah II warned of the dangers posed by Israeli escalation. He emphasized the urgent need for international efforts to come together to halt the aggression before the region is pulled into a full-scale regional war.
King Abdullah II emphasized that halting the escalation in the region must begin with an immediate end to the war on Gaza. He urged the international community to support Lebanon during these challenging times to protect innocent civilians and called for swift and decisive action to end all forms of escalation in the region.
Qatar: The ongoing escalation is primarily due to the absence of any deterrent to 'Israel's' actions
Qatar condemned the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, which has resulted in hundreds of martyrs and thousands of wounded. It warned of the growing risk of escalating violence across the region, potentially leading to a full-scale regional war, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the ongoing escalation is largely a result of the lack of any deterrent to Israel's actions, its persistent violations of international law, and its continued impunity.
The ministry warned that this situation exacerbates the severity of existing crises, pushing the region to the brink of disaster and exposing it to further tensions that could have profound consequences both regionally and internationally.
Palestinians from Ain al-Hilweh Refugee Camp in Lebanon distributing water and food to people displaced from South Lebanon due to the Israeli aggression. #Lebanon #Palestine https://t.co/UsqqczVhNF
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 23, 2024
The Qatari Foreign Ministry urged the international community to take responsibility by implementing urgent actions to compel the Israeli occupation authorities to halt their brutal aggression against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. It also reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to supporting all regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region.
The ministry affirmed Qatar's steadfast position regarding Lebanon, emphasizing its unity and territorial integrity, as well as its full support for all efforts aimed at enhancing the country’s stability and prosperity.
UAE: To unite international efforts to stop the fighting
For its part, the UAE expressed concern over the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing escalation and its potential repercussions on security and stability in the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for coordinated international efforts to halt the fighting and prevent further bloodshed, emphasizing the need for civilians to receive full protection under international law and international treaties.
The ministry also emphasized the UAE's unwavering stance against "violence, escalation, and reckless actions that disregard the laws governing state relations and sovereignty, which only serve to complicate the situation and heighten the risks of instability". It reiterated the necessity of resolving disputes through diplomatic means, steering clear of confrontational rhetoric and escalation.
Syrian Social Nationalist Party: The fate of this war is the victory of our country
The Syrian Social Nationalist Party viewed the ongoing escalations as a concerted war aimed at subjugating the entire axis of resistance, asserting that such an outcome would never be recognized.
The party emphasized that "the outcome of this war will be the victory of our country and our people over the enemy, and we will undoubtedly be the ones to fire the last bullet." It asserted that "the extreme brutality and criminality exhibited by the occupation against civilians serve as the strongest evidence of the enemy's lack of a clear military target strategy."
The party addressed the Israeli occupation, stating: “You must understand that displacing people from their lands and homes will not diminish their resolve nor change their stance in any way.”
Circulated footage shows an Israeli strike near al-Ghazieh highway directly endangering displaced people from South #Lebanon making their way toward #Beirut.#LebanonUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/yDXtqmAbwu
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 23, 2024
It highlighted the significant national solidarity surrounding the resistance and its people, expressing deep appreciation for the scenes of communities welcoming the displaced across various regions, from the north to Beirut, the mountains, and the Bekaa. The party also commended the people of Syria for their hospitality in receiving the displaced in their cities and homes.
It further emphasized that all its directorates and officials are fully mobilized and actively serving the people in all regions, asserting their readiness to fulfill their national, patriotic, and humanitarian duties.
Venezuela: Aggression represents 'Israel's' dark intentions
In this context, Venezuela condemned the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, stating that "the ongoing attacks by savage Zionism in the Middle East—characterized by relentless terrorist assaults on civilians, populated areas, towns, and cities—reflect Israel's sinister intentions to provoke a dangerous escalation of confrontations with Lebanon and other countries in the region. This could result in dire consequences and lead to a large-scale, unprecedented war."
Venezuela warned that this fierce aggression has caused the displacement of many people and a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
Borrell: Our worst expectations have come true
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said "I can say we are almost in a full-fledged war," ahead of a gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.
"We're seeing more military strikes, more damage, more collateral damage, more victims," he added as Lebanese authorities said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 492 civilians on Monday, including 35 children.
The Israeli occupation conducted on Monday dozens of airstrikes across southern #Lebanon and the #Bekaa region, killing and wounding dozens of people as it destroyed a number of residential homes and buildings in some of the targeted towns and villages.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 23, 2024
In southern Lebanon,… pic.twitter.com/dMT0XeuELc
AFP reported that a diplomatic source indicated France has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address the situation in Lebanon.
The Israeli occupation continues its extensive aggression in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, with the latest statistics from the Lebanese Ministry of Health reporting 492 martyrs and approximately 1,645 wounded. The ministry reported that the Israeli aggression has led to the martyrdom of 35 children and 58 women.
China: We denounce 'indiscriminate attacks against civilians'
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his support for Lebanon while denouncing “indiscriminate attacks against civilians.”
"We pay close attention to developments in the region, especially the recent explosion of communications equipment in Lebanon, and firmly oppose indiscriminate attacks against civilians," Wang told his Lebanese counterpart in New York.
