Image credits - AP Photo
The military of Israel, on Sunday, said that Hezbollah had struck an air traffic control base in northern Israel. The military of Israel post this incident had warned of another war with the Iran-backed militant group.
As Israel battles Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, the increased fighting across the border with Lebanon has given rise to a new urgency to the U.S. diplomatic efforts for which Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State prepared to visit Israel on his recent Middle East tour.
After talks in Qatar, which is acting as a key mediator, Blinken told reporters that this is a conflict that would quite easily metastasize along with causing even more insecurity and even more suffering. This rapid increase in the cross-border fighting between both Israel and Hezbollah has surely complicated a U.S. push to put a stop to a regional conflict.
The military of Israel stated that on Saturday Hezbollah fire hit the sensitive air traffic control base which was on Mount Meron but the air defences were not affected as the backup was already in place, no soldiers were hurt and the damages done would be repaired. It was considered to be one of the most serious attacks by Hezbollah that has accompanied the war of Israel in Gaza and had compelled thousands of Israelis to vacate all the communities near the Lebanese border.
On the other hand, Hezbollah described this as the initial response to the targeted killing that had been done by a top Hamas leader in a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut last week.
The military chief of staff of Israel, Lt. Col. Herzi Halevi, stated that military pressure on Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, was rising and it would either be effective “or we will get to another war”. The military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the focus of Israel on Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force was pushing it away from the border. The military capabilities of Hezbollah are far superior to those of Hamas. Israel has mostly strived to restrict the fighting in its north. However the leaders of Israel have said that their patience is wearing thin and that if the tensions cannot be resolved, they are prepared to use force.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has told his cabinet that, he suggested that Hezbollah learn what Hamas has already learned in recent months: No terrorism was immune. Prime Minister Benjamin also added that they are determined to defend their citizens and to return the residents of the north safely to their homes.
Qatar’s government in a joint news briefing with Blinken recognized that the killing of the senior leader of Hamas in Lebanon could affect the already complicated negotiations for the release of various hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It was also said that continuous discussions with the parties are going on.
The military of Israel signalled that it had concluded major combat in northern Gaza, and completed dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure there. Israel PM Netanyahu said that the war will not end until the main objective of eliminating Hamas, getting the hostages of Israel returned and making sure that Gaza will not be a threat to Israel are fulfilled.