The thermometer is rising dangerously in the Middle East, with Israel preparing for a ground invasion of Lebanon due to the intense movement of the army on the border.
Indicative of the country’s intentions are the statements of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. In a video message, the Israeli prime minister reiterated his commitment that the fight against Lebanon’s Hezbollah will continue until the displaced residents of northern Israel return safely to their homes.
“We are dealing blows to Hezbollah that it could never have imagined. We use force and tricks. I can promise you one thing: we will not stop until (displaced northerners) return to their homes,” Netanyahu says in a video message.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“I cannot detail everything we are doing, but I can tell you one thing – we are determined to return our residents in the north home safely. pic.twitter.com/eslGkmD1RP
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 25, 2024
The message comes amid rumors that the “green light” has been given for talks aimed at a temporary cessation of hostilities with Hezbollah so that a possible ceasefire can be negotiated.
The US and France are working on ceasefire proposals to resolve the escalating conflict in Lebanon, according to Israeli sources cited by the Reuters news agency.
The proposal includes a ceasefire in the north to allow for a diplomatic solution. However, no significant progress has been made so far, the officials added.
“All-out war possible, but not inevitable”
After the latest developments, US President Joe Biden said that a total war in the Middle East is possible, but underlined that there is a possibility of finding a diplomatic solution to end Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza and with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“All-out war is possible, but I think there’s also the opportunity — we’re still in the game to get a settlement that could fundamentally change the whole region,” Biden said on ABC’s “The View.”
During his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, the US president continued efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East, amid concern that Israel’s war against Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip will spill over into Lebanon. .
The US president, Israel’s strongest ally, has promoted a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while making no secret that he has disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on the issue. “I don’t agree with his position. A two-state solution is necessary,” Biden said. “It has to be done,” he added.
Joe Biden said that once a truce is reached with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, then attention can turn to the West Bank. “It is possible, I devote all my energy to achieve it. There is the will for change.”
Hezbollah targets Tel Aviv
At the same time, the Israeli army is launching one attack after another across Lebanon. It has bombed ammunition depots, fuel tanks and at least 60 Hezbollah intelligence centers.
For its part, Hezbollah targeted Tel Aviv, launching a ballistic missile, with the capital’s air defense systems intercepting it.
Hezbollah claimed that the target was the Mossad headquarters, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. But an Israeli military spokesman claimed the ballistic missile was headed for a residential area
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