Russia, China condemn Israeli invasion of Lebanon
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Russia strongly condemned "Israel’s" military actions, urging the immediate withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon.
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Russian, left, and Chinese flags sit on a table before a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Friday, June 8, 2018. (AP)
Russia and China on Tuesday issued separate statements calling on Israel to halt its ground offensive in Lebanon, expressing deep concerns over the escalation of violence in the region.
Russia, in particular, strongly condemned "Israel’s" military actions, urging the immediate withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon.
"Russia strongly condemns the attack on Lebanon and calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately cease hostilities, withdraw their troops from Lebanese territory, and engage in a real search for peaceful ways to resolve the Middle East conflict," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Moscow expressed solidarity with Lebanon, which it described as being subjected to "armed aggression" following a week of intense airstrikes that killed hundreds, including Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Read more: Progressives call for arms embargo as 'Israel' expands war on Lebanon
China echoed these concerns, opposing "infringements on Lebanon's sovereignty" and urging "Israel" to take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply concerned" about the growing tensions and called on "all parties" to avoid exacerbating them.
The statement added that Beijing supports Lebanon's territorial integrity and opposes any actions that could lead to further destabilization in the region.
'Israel' begins invasion
Earlier today, the Israel occupation forces (IOF) announced they have initiated a series of "limited" and "localized raids" in southern Lebanon, allegedly only targeting the border area.
The operation, which had been failing for hours as Israeli forces faltered under Hezbollah's fire, reportedly aims to"neutralize" the Resistance's infrastructure and positions that pose a threat to "Israel" and its northern settlements.
The IOF said the incursion is being carried out based on "precise intelligence", focusing on villages in southern Lebanon at the border area with occupied Palestine as part of a broader plan developed by the General Staff and the Northern Command.
The invasion is supported by the Israeli occupation's Air Force and Artillery carrying out extensive strikes on southern Lebanon as part of the Israeli Operation Northern Arrows.
Read more: UNIFIL warns any Israeli 'crossing into Lebanon' violates sovereignty
![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)")
