Israeli escalation in Lebanon: Latest developments
Eight Israeli airstrikes hit the outskirts of Mashghara in West Bekaa on Monday evening as other strikes hit the southern towns of Shhour, Rishknanay, Arab Salim and Habboush and many villages in the Nabatieh district, as residents heavily fled Beirut's southern suburns, after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army to escalate against Hezbollah in response to drone attacks.
"Washington is discussing with Tehran a ceasefire in Lebanon on the condition of reining in Hezbollah," an Israeli source told Al-Arabiya.
"The expansion of the military operation will be limited in time and the expansion of operations to Beirut refers to the southern suburbs, not the capital itself," the source explained.
The source also revealed that Israel had tried to assassinate Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem "twice" lately.
The Israeli northern command chief meanwhile said that "the war against Hezbollah will escalate more tonight and in the coming days."
He had earlier said that Hezbollah "crossed a dangerous red line by bombing Metula and Shomera."
"Containment has ended and Israel has decided to deliver a major strike against Hezbollah," a senior Israeli source told Israel's Channel 12.
"The army has prepared a powerful attack plan in Lebanon and is awaiting political approval," the Israeli public broadcaster reported.
An Israeli official meanwhile told the Jerusalem Post newspaper that Israel "will undoubtedly change the equation in Lebanon."
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://prod.naharnet.com/stories/en/320335 |