On Tuesday, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stark warning against the actions of Israeli forces in the city of Rafah. The focus on Israel's operations in Rafah is seen by some as a diversion from Lebanon's pressing issues.
Since October, Shiite militias have launched attacks on Israel, ostensibly in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza © Mena Today
On Tuesday, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stark warning against the actions of Israeli forces in the city of Rafah, following the deployment of Israeli tanks and the seizure of the Palestinian side of the border crossing with Egypt. This move by the Israeli military, coupled with bombings in the area, has raised serious concerns in Beirut.
In the statement, the Lebanese government highlighted the potential for a "severe humanitarian disaster" affecting over a million displaced Palestinians in the area. The Ministry stressed that « the escalation by Israeli occupation forces could lead to catastrophic outcomes, including forced displacement—a strategy they claim aligns with Israeli plans. »
The warning from Lebanon comes amid its own internal struggles, notably a severe economic crisis and the influence of Iran and its ally, Hezbollah, over the country.
Since October, Shiite militias have launched attacks on Israel, ostensibly in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Critics argue that the Lebanese Ministry should prioritize addressing Lebanon's own crises. The nation grapples with profound economic troubles and political instability, exacerbated by external influences and internal governance challenges.
The focus on Israel's actions in Rafah is seen by some as a diversion from Lebanon's pressing issues.
Iran warned on Sunday against any big new attack by the United States and its allies, saying it had information such a move was being prepared, adding to the anxiety in a region already on edge after drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia.
Maronite Patriarch Béchara Raï raised the stakes Sunday, declaring that southern Lebanon "is not a bargaining chip." In his Sunday homily in Mayfouk, in the Jbeil district, the cardinal called for the "protection" of the region, insisting that such protection "begins with the state holding a monopoly on weapons », a thinly veiled call for Hezbollah's disarmament.
The United States has warned it fears a "rapid escalation" of hostilities in the Middle East, following Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia that struck the kingdom's capital for the first time in months.
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