Beirut: The Lebanese government continued its preparations for a possible escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as Air France on Thursday extended its suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least Sunday “due to the security situation” in Lebanon.
Tensions rose last week after Iran and its allies vowed to retaliate for the high-profile assassinations of Hezbollah's top military commander in Lebanon, Fuad Shukr, and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas in Iran. Israel is accused of both murders.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah forces continue to exchange fire with Israeli forces on the border between their countries on an almost daily basis.
Germany's foreign ministry, through its embassy in Lebanon, has called on all German citizens to leave the country immediately “due to the increased risk of military escalation in the region”.
Amin Salam, Lebanon's finance minister, said the conflict was a major challenge for the government. He said, “In a country that imports 90 percent of its needs and produces only 10 percent, the Ministry of Finance has been in a state of emergency for three years, emphasizing on ensuring food security and continuing the supply of goods and raw materials.” year
“We are constantly dealing with crisis and traders and citizens are exploiting the situation, we have to reassure people about food security,” he added.
“A part of the private sector has saved the country from total collapse, while another part – a large percentage – exploits the public's fear and anxiety about the future and the lack of goods and food if war breaks out.”
Regarding the level of food security and strategic stocks of commodities and raw materials, Salam said the unions reported that “available food commodities and raw materials may be enough for three months.” More shipments are on their way to Beirut, he added.
“They will arrive in the coming weeks and can cover two more months, meaning we have enough food items and commodities for five months.
“Israel is targeting the Lebanese economy by destroying the agricultural sector and burning Lebanese soil. Agriculture provides part of the country's foreign exchange through exports.”
Salam said that the damage in the agricultural sector has cost the country billions of dollars.
He added that “internal and external” media outlets have warned that Lebanon's only airport, Rafik Hariri International, could be targeted.
“It was a blow to the tourism sector, as it forced expatriates and tourists to leave Lebanon while reservations were canceled,” he said.
Meanwhile, an Israeli fighter drone attacked a car on the road connecting the towns of Yarin and Jebben on Thursday. According to the Emergency Operation Center of the Ministry of Health, three people were injured.
On Wednesday night, Israeli forces advanced north in the area south of the Litani River and raided the town of Duir for the first time, destroying an uninhabited house belonging to the Rammal family.
And Israeli warplanes attacked the outskirts of the town of Mansouri in Tire district, causing severe damage to property, crops and infrastructure.
In an attempt to reassure Lebanese worried about the possibility of the conflict turning into a wider war, Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad said the party “takes into account Lebanon's specific characteristics and high national interests, as well as the interests of our people.”
“Therefore, we are determined not to allow the enemy to violate the rules, no matter what the conflict may be or at what cost, we are working in the interests of our people and our motherland, which we will not compromise in any way.”
He continued: “Those who want to stop the state of collapse, and the unstable situation that pervades the entire region, must press the Israeli enemy to stop the attack against Gaza.
“But how can we understand the call for a ceasefire or stop the escalation if these parties continue to supply the enemy with the latest missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and other weapons from their arsenals?”
His comments came after Hezbollah launched a drone strike in response to an Israeli attack that targeted Israeli soldiers at the Al-Marz military site. The party said it “scored a direct hit, with confirmed injuries.”
Elsewhere, Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adrai said in a message posted on social media platform X: “Air force warplanes destroyed several Hezbollah infrastructures in Bint Jabel, Majdal Zone and Duir.”
Acting Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib received a phone call from his Norwegian counterpart, Aspen Barth Eide, as part of diplomatic efforts by government officials in Lebanon and other countries to influence the militants to avoid further escalation of the conflict.
The former's media office said Ide had assured them that Norway was “committed to working with all relevant parties to reduce tensions and prevent further conflict” and “prioritizing the interests of the Palestinians and avoiding flare-ups necessary to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza”. of war in the region. Ide “reaffirmed that Norway, which attaches great importance to Lebanon, does not want the region to fall victim to a new wave of rising tensions and war.”
Bo Habib said: “The aim of the Israeli escalation is to disrupt the initiative launched by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in Gaza.”
He condemned “Israel's deliberate targeting of civilians in its attacks in Lebanon, a clear violation of the principles of international law” and called for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted on June 10, and for a ceasefire agreement. In the war between Israel and Hamas.
