Lebanon Faces Threat of 'New War,' Says PM
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has raised concerns about a potential escalation into a "new war" as Israel resumes its airstrikes on the nation, following recent deadly attacks on southern towns. In a statement released on his official...
TroibNews 
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has raised concerns about a potential escalation into a "new war" as Israel resumes its airstrikes on the nation, following recent deadly attacks on southern towns.
In a statement released on his official website on Saturday, Salam expressed concern about the renewed military actions on the southern border, warning of the risks that could lead Lebanon into a new conflict, which would have dire consequences for the country and its people. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that “the [Lebanese] state alone has the power to decide war and peace.”
Salam also urged the United Nations to exert pressure on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, cautioning that ongoing hostilities jeopardize the existing truce.
On Saturday, Israeli aircraft targeted Tyre, Zibqin, and Qlaileh. The Israeli military stated that these strikes were a response to rocket fire aimed at Israel from approximately 6 km north of the border. West Jerusalem attributed the launches to Hezbollah, alleging that it targeted the group's rocket sites.
In a separate statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that he and Defense Minister Israel Katz had commanded the military to "act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon." Netanyahu further contended that the Lebanese government bears responsibility for "everything taking place within its territory."
Hezbollah has rejected these accusations, describing them as a rationale for further aggression.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that one individual was killed in Tyre and four injured in Qlaileh. Earlier strikes on Touline resulted in five fatalities, including two children, and left 11 others injured.
The conflict intensified when Hezbollah opened fire on Israeli positions in support of Gaza, following Israel's military response to the Hamas attack on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of 250.
The ensuing cross-border clashes escalated into a full-scale Israeli offensive that eliminated senior Hezbollah figures, destroyed weapon stockpiles, and inflicted significant civilian casualties.
A ceasefire has been maintained since November under a US-brokered agreement that calls for both parties to cease military operations along the border.
Andrea Tenenti, the spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, described the situation as "very concerning" and urged "maximum restraint." He noted that intense negotiations are ongoing "to prevent any escalation of the conflict and of the tension – something that no one wants to see after 16 months of conflict in this region."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
In a statement released on his official website on Saturday, Salam expressed concern about the renewed military actions on the southern border, warning of the risks that could lead Lebanon into a new conflict, which would have dire consequences for the country and its people. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that “the [Lebanese] state alone has the power to decide war and peace.”
Salam also urged the United Nations to exert pressure on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, cautioning that ongoing hostilities jeopardize the existing truce.
On Saturday, Israeli aircraft targeted Tyre, Zibqin, and Qlaileh. The Israeli military stated that these strikes were a response to rocket fire aimed at Israel from approximately 6 km north of the border. West Jerusalem attributed the launches to Hezbollah, alleging that it targeted the group's rocket sites.
In a separate statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that he and Defense Minister Israel Katz had commanded the military to "act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon." Netanyahu further contended that the Lebanese government bears responsibility for "everything taking place within its territory."
Hezbollah has rejected these accusations, describing them as a rationale for further aggression.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that one individual was killed in Tyre and four injured in Qlaileh. Earlier strikes on Touline resulted in five fatalities, including two children, and left 11 others injured.
The conflict intensified when Hezbollah opened fire on Israeli positions in support of Gaza, following Israel's military response to the Hamas attack on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of 250.
The ensuing cross-border clashes escalated into a full-scale Israeli offensive that eliminated senior Hezbollah figures, destroyed weapon stockpiles, and inflicted significant civilian casualties.
A ceasefire has been maintained since November under a US-brokered agreement that calls for both parties to cease military operations along the border.
Andrea Tenenti, the spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, described the situation as "very concerning" and urged "maximum restraint." He noted that intense negotiations are ongoing "to prevent any escalation of the conflict and of the tension – something that no one wants to see after 16 months of conflict in this region."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
