Lebanon warns of the “scope” of Israel’s offensive and denounces an attempt to “expand the occupation”

The Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, warned this Thursday of the “scope” of Israel’s offensive against Lebanon in the context of the war in Iran, after denouncing that Tel Aviv’s declared plans to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon deepen an attempt to “expand the occupation” of Lebanese territory and aggravate the “gravity” of the situation in the country.

“It has become clear that the Israeli aggression against Lebanon will not be limited to the continuation of the military operations that we have known for sixteen months. The statements of the Israeli officials and the actions of its Army reveal broader objectives, which include a broad expansion in the occupation of Lebanese territories,” denounced the leader in statements after a meeting of his cabinet collected by the NNA agency.

In this sense, he has described as “dangerous” the proposals for the creation of buffer zones or “security belts” in southern Lebanon, warning that they cause the internal displacement of the Lebanese population, which already exceeds one million people.

“Lebanon has become a victim of a war whose results and end no one can foresee,” he lamented, emphasizing that he will redouble “political and diplomatic efforts to put an end to the continuous violations of the sovereignty and integrity of the territory”, emphasizing once again the condemnation of “the flagrant violations of International Law and International Humanitarian Law.”

On this point, Salam has also criticized the actions of the Shiite militia party Hezbollah, which has launched attacks against Israel, which the Israeli authorities allege to relaunch their offensive against the neighboring country.

“Nothing more consolidates the link of the conflict in our territory with foreign wars, in which we have no national interest, than what is announced as joint and simultaneous military operations with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard,” he indicated in reference to the militia group.

WAVE OF DISPLACED PEOPLE AND “SEVERITY” OF THE SITUATION

Regarding the wave of displaced people due to the conflict in the south of the country, the Lebanese leader has called for international help to “strengthen capacities” and “obtain greater support to welcome displaced people, respond to their needs, guarantee their adequate reception and even their protection, and ensure their safety and that of the communities that receive them.”

As Salam has recognized, the displaced are “the first and greatest victim of a war in which they had no voice or decision.” “The seriousness of the stage that Lebanon is going through requires us to raise the spirit of national solidarity and human brotherhood above any feeling of caution or discontent,” he said in a call for national unity.

For this reason, he has asked to “avoid the risks of internal division, move away from the logic of accusations, revenge and speeches of intimidation and hate.”