A rocket attack on a soccer field in the Golan Heights on July 27 that killed 12 teenagers has raised the prospect of a conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.
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| Smoke rises from a site on the southern Lebanese border, following an Israeli shelling. (Source: AFP) |
Reuters news agency reported that on July 28, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said that the security cabinet gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant authority to decide on the scale and timing of the country's response to the rocket attack on the Golan Heights a day earlier.
Israel and the US accused Hezbollah of being responsible for the incident, while the Lebanese movement rejected the accusation and denied any responsibility for the attack.
On the same day, commenting on the attack, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told CGS News that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hezbollah.
Risk of regional war
Egypt has warned of the risk of opening a new front in Lebanon after an attack on a football stadium in the village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on July 27.
In a statement issued the same day, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry stressed that "the latest developments could push the Middle East into a full-scale regional war", and called for support and protection for Lebanon, its people and institutions from "disaster".
The ministry also called on the international community to intervene immediately to prevent catastrophic consequences from the escalation of the conflict, which Egypt warned could threaten global peace and security.
In addition, Egypt reiterated its warning about the dangers in Gaza, calling on the parties to reach an immediate comprehensive ceasefire to end the humanitarian disaster there as soon as possible and restore security and stability in the region.
Amid the tense regional situation, also on July 28, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly threatened to attack Israel in support of the Palestinians, causing Tel Aviv to retaliate.
However, Reuters, on July 29, quoted a senior Israeli defense official as saying that the country wanted to attack Hezbollah but did not want to drag the region into a full-scale war.
Israel is preparing for possible fighting with Hezbollah within days, sources say.
On the US side, the Axios news portal cited unnamed US and Israeli officials as reporting that Washington warned its close ally in the Middle East that its intention to attack Hezbollah targets in the Lebanese capital Beirut could lead to a situation spiraling out of control as the movement retaliated.
An unnamed US official told Axios that Washington believes an Israeli military strike on targets in Beirut “is a potential red line for Hezbollah.”
Facing the risk of a "Pandora's box" about to open, on July 29, the US, Norway and Ireland called on their citizens to leave Lebanon.
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| The attack on the Golan Heights that left 12 teenagers dead risks opening a dangerous 'Pandora's Box' in the Middle East. (Source: Getty Images) |
International efforts to "put out the fire"
Faced with the above situation, many countries have called on all parties to exercise restraint, as well as urged Israel to cease fire.
On July 29, TASS news agency quoted “It is important to immediately cease fire. We are sending a signal to the Israeli leadership,” said Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov.
Assessing that Lebanon and other regional forces have no intention of starting a large-scale war in Israel, the Russian Ambassador also called on the parties involved to exercise restraint, stating: “This vicious circle must be broken, otherwise there will be a catastrophe, much greater than what is happening now.”
Similarly, newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said immediate steps must be taken towards a ceasefire, allowing hostages to be released and more humanitarian aid to reach those in need, but also reaffirmed his "support for Israel's right to self-defence under international law".
Previously, on July 28, the European Union (EU) urged all parties involved to exercise caution and prevent escalation.
In a post on his social media account X on July 28, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell strongly criticized the violence in the Golan Heights and stressed the need for an independent international investigation.
On the Lebanese side, Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a comprehensive ceasefire in the south of the country and full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 to avoid escalation.
Mr. Mikati stressed that the Lebanese Government's stance is to condemn all forms of violence against civilians, and affirmed that a lasting ceasefire on all fronts is the only viable solution to prevent further human casualties and avoid worsening the situation on the ground.
Prime Minister Mikati conducted a series of diplomatic-political contacts to monitor the current emergency situation and Israel's continued threats to Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called for an international investigation or a meeting of a tripartite commission organized by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the country (UNIFIL) "to know the truth" about those responsible for the attack.
The tripartite commission includes military officials from Lebanon, Israel, and representatives of UNIFIL.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/vu-tan-cong-cao-nguyen-golan-hop-pandora-se-mo-lebanon-khan-cap-keu-goi-dieu-tra-quoc-te-the-gioi-no-luc-dap-lua-280577.html
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