Israel halts military operations in southern Gaza; warns of risk of conflict spreading to Lebanon

On June 16, Israel announced a temporary suspension of daytime military operations in the southern Gaza Strip for humanitarian reasons. Earlier, two United Nations (UN) officials expressed concern about the risk of the Hezbollah-Israel conflict spilling over into Lebanon.

Humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom border crossing in southern Israel. (Source: AP)

"The local tactical pause for humanitarian purposes will take place from 8am to 7pm daily until further notice, along the road leading from the Kerem Shalom intersection to Salah al-Din Street and then north," the Israeli military said in a statement.

The decision was made as part of efforts to increase the volume of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip following discussions with the UN and other organizations.

In recent times, Israel has facilitated the transport of humanitarian aid, including through the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

Even so, humanitarian organizations have warned for months about shortages of food and other essentials in the besieged Palestinian territory.

In another development on June 15, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and head of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon Aroldo Lazaro warned that miscalculations by Hezbollah and Israel could cause the conflict in southern Lebanon to expand.

The two UN officials expressed "deep concern" about the recent escalation along the Lebanese border.

In a written statement, the two officials stressed: "The risk of miscalculation leading to an unexpected and broader conflict is very real."

Currently, the US and France are working to resolve by diplomatic means the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah along the southern Lebanese border.

Hezbollah last week launched its biggest barrage of rockets and drones in eight months since it launched attacks on Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza. The group has said it will not stop firing until Israel’s military offensive in Gaza ends.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/israel-tam-dung-hoat-dong-quan-su-o-phia-nam-gaza-canh-bao-nguy-co-xung-dot-lan-rong-sang-lebanon-275212.html