BEIRUT: Political and diplomatic communications have intensified between Lebanon and other nations to mitigate the serious escalation between Hezbollah and Israel.
The communications aim to prevent Lebanon from entering into an open conflict, particularly in light of Israel’s decision on Sunday night to strike Hezbollah in response to what it deemed “Hezbollah’s responsibility for the shelling of Majdal Shams.”
Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the attack on Majdal Shams that killed 12 teenagers and children on Saturday.
A Lebanese government source said that “international communications” had so far succeeded in containing an all-out war.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated: “Our response to Hezbollah will be clear and strong.”
A Lebanese security source confirmed that Hezbollah evacuated several key points in the south and Bekaa since Sunday, near the Lebanese-Syrian border and the vicinity of Sayyida Zainab in Syria, “in anticipation of an Israeli strike.”
Lebanon witnessed a state of anticipation and caution on Monday, especially in the southern regions, the Bekaa, and Beirut. Movement remained relatively cautious on roads connecting these regions. The announcement that some airlines were suspending their flights to Lebanon further increased caution.
Foreign ministries, instead of embassies, warned their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately or “prepare for long periods of shelter.”
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati received a call from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who renewed “the call on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent escalation.” Lammy stressed the need to “resolve disputes peacefully and through the implementation of relevant international resolutions.”
Reuters reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Israeli President Isaac Herzog and emphasized “the importance of preventing the escalation of conflict after the missile attack in the Golan Heights.”
Blinken and Herzog discussed “a diplomatic solution that allows residents on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border to return to their homes.”
The hostile operations between Hezbollah and the Israeli army did not stop on Monday. An Israeli raid in the morning targeted two locations.
