Lebanese Foreign Ministry warns of 'Israel's' escalatory intentions
4 Min Read
The Foreign Ministry calls on the international community to "pressure Israel to stop the escalation."
-
Smoke rises from an Israeli settlement in northern occupied Palestine after being struck by a missile launched from southern Lebanon on Thursday, April 6, 2023 (Social media)
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned in a statement on Thursday against "Israel's" escalatory intentions, which threaten regional and international peace and security.
The statement called on the international community to "pressure Israel to stop the escalation," expressing its willingness to cooperate with the international peacekeeping forces - United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) - operating in southern Lebanon.
The statement stressed Lebanon's "affirmation of its full respect and commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and its keenness on calm and stability."
Israeli media reported earlier today that 34 rockets were launched from southern Lebanon toward Northern occupied Palestine, adding that 25 were intercepted by the Iron Dome, 5 hit occupation settlements, while it is still unknown where the remaining four landed.
For the first time since 2006, the northern Israeli colonies are under attack by heavy rocket shelling coming from Lebanon. Israeli Iron Dome failed to intercept. How will Israel deal with more sophisticated and powerful Hezbollah missiles in a future war?pic.twitter.com/JXjY76CGVO
— Hadi Nasrallah (@HadiNasrallah) April 6, 2023
For its part, the Lebanese army announced, through its Twitter account, it had found the platforms from which the missiles were launched toward the Upper Al-Jalil, indicating that they were launched from the vicinity of the towns of Zibqin and Qlaileh, and that work is underway to dismantle them.
Read more: Sanaa condemns Al-Aqsa attack, holds IOF responsible for repercussions
عثرت وحدة من الجيش على منصات صواريخ وعدد من الصواريخ المعدّة للإطلاق في محيط بلدتَي زبقين والقليلة، ويجري العمل على تفكيكها.#الجيش_اللبناني #LebaneseArmy pic.twitter.com/XxNi0ha2oy
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) April 6, 2023
بتاريخ ٦/ ٤/ ٢٠٢٣ أطلِق عدد من الصواريخ من محيط بلدات القليلة والمعلية وزبقين في قضاء صور باتجاه الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة. يقوم الجيش اللبناني بتسيير دوريات في المنطقة بالتنسيق الوثيق مع قوة الأمم المتحدة المؤقتة في لبنان.#الجيش_اللبناني #LebaneseArmy pic.twitter.com/JF0QDObD8t
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) April 6, 2023
The Lebanese army also confirmed that it is conducting patrols in the area in close coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
On its part, UNIFIL issued a statement on Twitter saying, "This afternoon there were multiple rocket launches from southern Lebanon toward Israel," adding that the IOF informed the UN mission of activating its Iron Dome system in response.
UNIFIL STATEMENT:
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) April 6, 2023
This afternoon there were multiple rocket launches from southern Lebanon toward Israel.
The IDF informed UNIFIL that it had activated its Iron Dome defense system in response.
In another tweet, the UNIFEL indicated that the "Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro is in contact with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line. The current situation is extremely serious. UNIFIL urges restraint and to avoid further escalation."
Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro is in contact with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) April 6, 2023
The current situation is extremely serious. UNIFIL urges restraint and to avoid further escalation.https://t.co/i4QNFZg1R0
According to Lebanese sources, the Israeli artillery shelling stopped toward the southern Lebanese territory, specifically at the outskirts of the towns of Qlaleet Al-Haniyah and Zibqin, which were hit by dozens of artillery shells from the occupation forces, as a state of anticipation, calm, and caution prevails in the area, according to the National News Agency.
Reuters quoted three Lebanese security sources as saying that "Palestinian factions are responsible for the rocket attacks from Lebanon, not Hezbollah."
New launches
Hours after the first barrage of rockets, the council of "Metula" settlement said, as cited by Yedioth Ahronoth, that "four rockets landed on our areas, and I call on the settlers not to leave the shelters."
This comes as Israeli occupation forces stormed and desecrated the Al-Aqsa mosque on Wednesday, protecting the Israeli settlers' incursions for the second consecutive day.
On Thursday morning, a group of settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque again, also heavily protected by the occupation forces.
Read more: IOF on high alert after bombing sites in Gaza, Resistance responds
In parallel, the IOF launched airstrikes, allegedly targeting Resistance positions west of the Gaza Strip, while Israeli helicopters also targeted several positions in the center of the Strip.
According to Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza, "The Resistance fired several rockets toward the Gaza envelope settlements," adding that the rockets have triggered "the sirens to sound."
The IOF warships also fired "sonic shells at the Beit Lahia coast north of the Strip."
Read more: Archbishop Hanna: An attack on Muslims is also an attack on Christians
“They’re besieging us, they want to kill us”
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 5, 2023
Palestinian women worshipers are crying out as Israeli forces savagely assault them inside Al-Aqsa Mosque. pic.twitter.com/slW5yhakRL
