States, not US, Axis of Resistance condemn Israeli assault on Beirut
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Russia, Syria, and Iran deem the Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital's Southern Suburb a violation of international law.
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A man inspects a destroyed building that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in the Southern Suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP)
The US State Department refused to comment on the Israeli aggression that targeted Lebanon's capital southern suburb on Tuesday.
An Israeli airstrike struck a residential building in a densely-populated area in Beirut's Southern Suburb, killing at least one and injuring 68 others, including five in critical condition, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that rescue operations were still underway with difficulty due to the collapse of four floors of the residential building as a result of the Israeli attack.
Footage circulating on social media shows the aftermath of the Israeli attack on the Southern Suburb of #Beirut.#Lebanon pic.twitter.com/kbXavA55Ar
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 30, 2024
He added that the building is adjacent to Bahman Hospital in the Haret Hreik area, resulting in damage to the health facility.
"Israel" has been threatening a strike against Lebanon after falsely accusing the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah of launching an attack on the town of Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
The Israeli occupation forces spokesperson said the military targeted a commander responsible for the alleged Majdal Shams strike. He added that there is "no change in the directives of the Home Front Command," which are a set of directives issued to settlers in times of war.
The State Department said the United States will continue pursuing diplomacy to prevent an escalation between "Israel" and Hezbollah.
"We're continuing to work toward a diplomatic resolution that would allow Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes and live in peace and security. We certainly want to avoid any kind of escalation," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told a briefing.
When asked about Tuesday's Israeli aggression on Beirut, Patel declined to comment, saying, "It just clearly happened."
He reaffirmed that US support for the Israeli occupation entity remained "ironclad" and claimed that "Israel has every right to defend itself."
Similarly, the White House declined to comment on the Israeli strike, with its spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre saying that the United States does not believe war between "Israel" and the Lebanese Resistance group Hezbollah is "inevitable".
During a press conference, she confirmed regular daily communication with Israeli officials, emphasizing the importance of reaching a diplomatic solution that ensures no escalation and no outbreak of war.
On his part, UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that UNIFIL leadership, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and peacekeeping operations leaders are conducting talks in Lebanon to prevent a war between "Israel" and Hezbollah.
On the other hand, Russia's Foreign Ministry described the Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital as "a gross violation of international law."
Meanwhile, Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, deemed the Israeli aggression "a blatant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and all international laws," underlining that the Lebanese government, army, and Resistance have the right to respond to the aggression.
He also stressed that "Israel" bears responsibility for expanding the scope of the crisis and tension in the region.
The Iranian Embassy in Lebanon also condemned "in the strongest terms the cowardly and sinful Israeli aggression that targeted the southern suburb of Beirut, which claimed the lives of a number of martyrs and wounded."
On its part, Damascus condemned the blatant Israeli attack on Lebanon's sovereignty and deemed it a "clear violation of international law."
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the Israeli occupation entity continues to fabricate pretexts for its policy of escalation and expansion of aggression in the region, noting that the blatant aggression comes after the despicable crime committed by the Israeli occupation in the town of Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian Golan.
#WATCH | Large-scale gatherings have taken place in Harat Hreik in the Southern Suburb of #Beirut in support of the Resistance, following the recent aggression by the Israeli occupation on the area.#Lebanon pic.twitter.com/JTzRyjdbNR
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 30, 2024
Palestinian factions condemn Israeli aggression against Beirut
In the same context, the Hamas movement condemned the aggression against Lebanon and the brotherly Lebanese people, deeming it a dangerous escalation for which the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility for its consequences.
In a statement, Hamas emphasized that the occupation's arrogance and attempts to restore its lost prestige and deterrence by committing more crimes in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and the Middle East will be nothing but a reckless adventure, for which it will pay a hefty price.
The movement held the US administration responsible for the occupation’s crimes and continuous violations through its ongoing political and military support.
It called on all forces, components, and parties of the nation to unite and show solidarity with Lebanon, its people, and its Resistance, which has emerged in defense of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Similarly, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement strongly condemned the Israeli attack and expressed its solidarity with the Lebanese people, pointing out that the aggression represents the persistence of the occupation's government to ignite the entire region.
The al-Mujahideen Movement condemned the cowardly Israeli attack, affirming that the Israeli enemy persists in its arrogance and aggression against the pillars of the nation, especially the Resistance forces that support Gaza.
It reiterated that it appreciates the stance of Hezbollah and the Lebanese Resistance in support of Gaza.
The Resistance Committees in Palestine also condemned the Israeli aggression and called on all components of the nation to unite and stand together in the trench of Resistance.
Moreover, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) affirmed that the Israeli aggressive act targeting civilian neighborhoods constitutes a war crime.
The DFLP asserted the legitimate right of Lebanon and its Resistance, led by Hezbollah, to self-defense and to defend the Lebanese people, land, and sovereignty.
The Front highlighted that the Israeli crimes are politically inseparable from the acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Additionally, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said the Israeli occupation committed a new war crime that exposes its true face represented in systematically targeting civilians.
The PFLP pointed out that the dangerous Israeli escalation pushes the confrontation to a new phase, which will see the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, along with all Resistance forces, respond forcefully to this crime.
The Front considered that the Israeli attack on Beirut's Southern Suburb was carried out in full cooperation and coordination with the US administration and "Israel's" Western allies.
Ansar Allah
On its part, the political bureau of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement said it strongly condemns and denounces the "terrorist attack" that deliberately targeted civilians and civilian facilities in violation of all international conventions and a flagrant breach of Lebanon's sovereignty and international humanitarian law.
Ansar Allah indicated that the serious Israeli transgression comes after "war criminal Netanyahu's recent visit to the White House," affirming solidarity with Lebanon and its Resistance against Zionist arrogance.
Read more: Hezbollah-'Israel' war not 'inevitable': US Defense Secretary
