Who is Ibrahim Qubaisi, the Hezbollah “missile force” officer assassinated by Israel?

The explosive situation across the Lebanon-Israel border dominated the work of the second day of high-level meetings of the 79th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, amid serious fears expressed by diplomats that Israel launched an attack on the ground in New York. an attempt to stop Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks and break ties with Israel.

Senior diplomats from the five permanent members of the Security Council revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the deteriorating situation along the Blue Line and the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah had reached a “point of no return” due to the both parties were sticking to their positions. . One expressed “hope about this situation,” saying that Israel is “preparing for an imminent ground attack.”

Civilian cars on the highway leading to the southern entrance to Beirut (AFP)

Amid intense American efforts to “prevent an all-out war,” which President Joe Biden warned from the podium of the General Assembly, French diplomats expected an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday night regarding escalation over on the Lebanese-Israeli border, and French President Emmanuel Macron joined the line of communication, including his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, in the hope that Tehran will intervene with the forces and the militias it supports in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen to stop attacks against Israel and end their fragile stability. in the Middle East. During this meeting, Macron asked Pezeshkian to use Tehran “to use its influence with the unstable parties that receive its support to move towards a ceasefire in Gaza and stop hostilities” and “to support to contribute to general peace” in the Middle East. .

According to a senior Western diplomat who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, “the efforts to take a unified position from the Security Council seeking to stop the increase” over the Blue Line” which does not receive much commitment from the United States,” which “want to work “On a line of bilateral communication with the relevant forces to stop the decline, ”revealing the “frustration” of the Security Council countries with this American position.

“Final warning”?

During the activities of the General Assembly, the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan believed that the situation in Israel showed again that it is necessary for the international community to develop a mechanism to protect Palestinian civilians. He said, “In an environment where international resolutions are not implemented, coercive measures against Israel should be on the agenda. ” He said: “Just as the Humane Alliance stopped Hitler seventy years ago, the Humane Alliance must stop (Israeli prime minister) Netanyahu and his assassination network.”

Netanyahu had postponed his arrival in New York from Wednesday to Thursday due to the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Diplomats have admitted that Netanyahu is preparing to issue a “final ultimatum” to Hezbollah before declaring war.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati tried to hold emergency consultations to prevent Israeli ground movement towards Lebanese territory.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (AFP)

Likewise, the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said that the ongoing “brutal war” in Gaza fired a “mercy bullet” against international legitimacy.

Iran’s situation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the need for the international community to act immediately to end the violence and establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and stop what he said like Israel’s “wretched barbarism” in Lebanon before it spread to the United States. entire region and the world. Regarding his country’s relationship with the international community, he said that there is an opportunity to enter a new era that begins with the recognition of Iran’s security concerns and cooperation on common challenges, to create a better world. to raise

Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said, “What is needed is to implement an immediate ceasefire, release all hostages, and accept to an irreversible path to the establishment of an independent, viable Palestinian state, and this must happen now.” He recalled King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s invitation to the international community to hold an international peace conference held in the Middle East. Mauritanian President Ould Ghazouani denounced “Israeli attacks on Lebanon,” calling for them to stop.

Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch confirmed that his country is committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, reiterating Morocco’s commitment to reach a final political solution to the Sahara dispute “on the basis of the self-determination initiative” only and within the framework of the Kingdom’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.” He said that ignoring the internal situation “will not make us forget the tragedy that the Palestinian people are suffering.” He also expressed Morocco’s full solidarity with the Lebanese government and people.

Exhibitions about the war

Demonstrator in New York against the war (Reuters)

At the same time, demonstrators in New York and several American cities took part in protests rejecting American military aid to Israel at a time when the risks of expanding the scope of the conflict in the Middle East increased. Activists called for a ban on sending weapons to Israel.

The “Respond” coalition organized a rally in Herald Square in New York, where dozens carried signs saying, “Hands off Lebanon now” and “No to an American-Israeli war on Lebanon .”

A smaller demonstration was held near the White House in Washington on Tuesday night, carrying flags and chanting similar slogans. The ANSR coalition said in a statement, “Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and the ongoing siege and genocide in Gaza were made possible by the large number of bombs, missiles, and warplanes provided by the American government.” He said similar protests took place in other cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, San Antonio and Phoenix.