At the same time that Israeli forces are bombing Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to woo Lebanese mothers and fathers. – Stand up and take back your country, he says. Netanyahu calls the situation a “unique chance” for the people to remove Hezbollah. Hezbollah has a military and political wing, and has both counter-standards and supporters in the people. It is mainly the Shia Muslim population that supports Hezbollah. Lebanese gathered to remember Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli attack at the end of September. Photo: Vahid Salemi / AP A state in the EU has listed the military part of the group as a terrorist. Hezbollah is called a state within a state, and has great political influence. The group is deeply religious, but supports a sectarian and multi-religious Lebanon. – There is an opportunity to save Lebanon before the country falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering, as we see in Gaza, says Netanyahu. After a year of war in the Gaza Strip, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed. The situation for the Palestinians is absolutely desperate, and the humanitarian support system is on the verge of total collapse. About 60 percent of the Gaza Strip’s buildings are said to have been destroyed in Israeli attacks. The picture shows ruins in Gaza City on 7 October. Photo: Omar Al-Qatta / AFP 1.2 million displaced Hezbollah and Hamas are allies in their fight against Israel’s occupation. Hezbollah has been attacking northern Israel daily since 8 October last year, and says it will continue as long as there is war in the Gaza Strip. This has led to approximately 60,000 Israelis having to evacuate their homes in the north. That is the basis for the Israeli military operations in Lebanon. At the same time, approximately 1.2 million Lebanese have been driven from their homes as a result of Israel’s attacks and evacuation orders in Lebanon. That’s almost a quarter of everyone who lives in the country. Displaced families sleep on pavements and parking lots in the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Photo: Louisa Gouliamaki / Reuters Israel has targeted attacks against the district of Dahieh in Beirut. This is an area where Hezbollah resides. But it is also a densely populated area. Debts on Iran – Israel left Lebanon 25 years ago. But the country that actually conquered Lebanon is not Israel. It is Iran, says Netanyahu. Israel occupied Lebanese territory from 1982 to 2000, and Hezbollah is seen as a direct result of Israel’s occupation, with the aim of fighting against Israel. They are supported by Iran, Israel’s biggest enemy in the region. On Tuesday, Israel expanded its military operations from southern Lebanon to southwestern Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has not released figures on how many soldiers they have sent across the border. But Politico and other international media estimate that there are more than 15,000 soldiers. The Financial Times believes there could be as many as 20,000. The inhabitants of 25 Lebanese villages have received orders from Israel to get north of the river Awali. 1,200 killed According to Lebanese health authorities, at least 1,200 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past few weeks, writes Al Jazeera. No distinction is made between civilians and military, but 127 of those killed will be children. The World Food Program (WFP) has expressed concern about food security in the country after agricultural areas have been hit by Israeli attacks. At least 46,000 farmers have been evacuated from their lands and large areas of arable land have been burned in southern Lebanon, says WFP Country Director Matthew Hollingworth. A man prays for his belongings over a crater in the Bekaa Valley after an Israeli attack. The picture was taken on 4 October. Photo: Samer Husseini / AP At the end of September, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli attack. Netanyahu claims the possible heir Hashem Safieddine has also been killed. It has not been confirmed by either Hezbollah or the Israeli Defense Forces. Published 09.10.2024, at 08.24 Updated 09.10.2024, at 09.06
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Netanyahu asks Lebanese mothers and fathers to “save Lebanon” – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
