More pressure mounts on Israel to halt military operations in Rafah; Hezbollah strikes back

RIA Novosti news agency reported that the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations in a joint statement called on Israel to abandon a full-scale attack on Rafah.

The G7 has just called on Israel to stop military operations in Rafah. Photo: Reuters

“We call on the Israeli government to refrain from such an attack, consistent with its obligations under international law,” the statement said.

The G7 stressed that the attack on Rafah could “have even more serious consequences for civilians”.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the US to put pressure on Israel to implement the UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding the conflict, the US news agency CNN reported that Israeli soldiers on the border with Lebanon used catapults - a medieval weapon used since the 16th century - to throw flaming objects into Lebanese territory.

CNN said the weapon was used by Israel to burn bushes to help the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) easily identify militants trying to approach the border.

The footage released by CNN of the catapult in action was first posted on social media on June 12, but the channel could not verify when it was taken, only that it was located on the Israel-Lebanon border.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has just launched 100 rockets and 30 UAVs to attack Israeli bases. This is the largest attack ever in a single day, in response to the killing of the movement's senior commander in an IDF operation.

The Hezbollah movement in Lebanon announced on June 13 that its gunmen had carried out rocket and drone attacks on six barracks and military facilities in Israel, and launched explosive-laden UAVs to attack three other IDF bases.

One of the targets was the headquarters of Israel's intelligence agency, which Hezbollah says was responsible for assassinations of its leaders.

The Israeli military said 40 rockets and seven drones crossed the border, most of which were intercepted, but some caused fires in the Golan Heights and northern Israel. A Hezbollah attack on the border village of Manara wounded two Israeli soldiers.

Tensions rise along Israel's northern border as Hezbollah steps up military activity. Photo: Getty

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer affirmed that the country will respond with force to any aggressive actions by Hezbollah, and pledged to restore security on its northern border.

Lebanon's national news agency later reported that the Israeli Air Force raided a house in the southern town of Janata, killing one civilian and wounding seven others.

Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks, with the militant group launching rockets and drones into enemy territory, while Tel Aviv has also launched retaliatory strikes.

The Israeli military confirmed on June 11 that it had carried out a raid that killed Abdallah, describing him as one of Hezbollah's most senior commanders in southern Lebanon. A Lebanese military source said Abdalla was the most important Hezbollah commander to be neutralized by Israel since the conflict between the two sides broke out.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has killed 468 people in Lebanon, mostly militants from the militant group but also including 89 civilians, according to AFP. At least 15 Israeli soldiers and 11 civilians have died in the clashes.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on June 13 that France, the United States and Israel will cooperate to find a solution to ease tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border, and emphasized that the countries will continue to take steps according to the proposed roadmap.

France's previous proposal included a halt to military operations and the Hezbollah militant group moving 10 kilometers away from the border with Israel, according to Lebanese officials.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/chien-su-israel-hamas-ngay-1462024-them-suc-ep-buoc-israel-dung-hoat-dong-quan-su-o-rafah-hezbollah-tan-cong-tra-dua-326140.html