On Thursday, the Lebanese army announced the killing of 3 citizens and the wounding of 3 soldiers in its ranks and members of the Malaysian unit in UNIFIL, in a raid on a car in the city of Sidon. The Israeli army also announced on Friday that it had detected the launching of 20 missiles within one hour from southern Lebanon towards the north.
The Lebanese army said in a statement: “The Israeli enemy targeted a car as it was passing through the Awali checkpoint – Sidon, which led to the death of 3 citizens who were inside it, in addition to the injury of 3 soldiers from the checkpoint elements and 4 members of the Malaysian unit operating within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.” UNIFIL, while the unit’s vehicles were passing through the aforementioned checkpoint.”
The UNIFIL leadership issued a statement saying: “This Thursday afternoon, a UNIFIL convoy, transporting peacekeeping soldiers who had recently arrived in Lebanon, was passing through Sidon when a drone attack occurred near it.”
On the other hand, Lebanese sources said that Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon on Friday. Tonight, Israeli warplanes bombed the village of Deir Al-Zahrani in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, resulting in fires.
The Israeli army also announced on Friday that it had monitored the launching of 20 rockets within one hour from southern Lebanon towards the north, and that some of them were intercepted, while a number of them landed in empty areas.
The Israeli army said in a statement, “After sounding sirens between 06:43 and 06:45 in the Upper Galilee and Western Galilee, about 10 shells were identified coming from Lebanon.” Some projectiles were intercepted as they fell in the area.”
He added: “After sounding sirens between 07:44 and 07:46 in the areas of Haifa Bay, Haamakkim, Middle Galilee, and Upper Galilee, about 10 shells were identified coming from Lebanon. Some of them were intercepted and others fell in open areas. So far, there have been no reports of injuries.”
For its part, Hezbollah announced early today, Friday, that it carried out 21 operations yesterday, Thursday, that included bombing settlements, two military bases, and Israeli army gatherings, while 3 Lebanese were killed and Lebanese army soldiers and others with UNIFIL were wounded following the Israeli raids in southern Lebanon.
In a series of statements published on its account on the Telegram platform, the party said that it targeted with a missile the Stella Maris naval base northwest of the city of Haifa in northern Israel, explaining that Stella Maris is a maritime monitoring and control base on the northern coast.
The party reported that it also targeted the Eliakim base, south of Haifa, with a specific missile launcher, and pointed out that this base contains training camps belonging to the Northern Command of the Israeli army.
Hezbollah also indicated that it targeted the Yiftah Barracks with missile launchers, the Al-Baghdadi military site, and 4 settlements: Al-Karyut, Yiftah, Kiryat Shmona, and Al-Manara.
Last updated: November 8, 2024 - 10:43
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Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today. To start, could you give us a brief overview of the recent events in Sidon involving the Lebanese army and the UNIFIL forces?
Expert: Thank you for having me. The situation in Sidon has escalated rapidly. On Thursday, the Lebanese army reported that an Israeli strike targeted a vehicle at the Awali checkpoint. Sadly, this attack resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to three Lebanese soldiers and four members of the Malaysian contingent operating under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This incident highlights the rising tensions in the region.
Interviewer: It sounds incredibly tragic. We also heard reports about Israeli strikes and missile launches from southern Lebanon. Can you shed some light on that as well?
Expert: Yes, the Israeli army confirmed that they tracked the launch of approximately twenty missiles from southern Lebanon in a short period. They managed to intercept some of these projectiles, but others landed in open areas without causing any reported injuries. This shows a significant escalation in hostilities. Additionally, Israeli warplanes have conducted raids targeting areas like Khiam and Deir Al-Zahrani, resulting in fires and further damage.
Interviewer: What do you think are the implications of these exchanges for the civilian population in the affected areas and for regional stability?
Expert: The impact on civilians cannot be overstated. Such military actions put lives at risk and contribute to a pervasive atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. As we’ve seen, multiple casualties have already occurred. These exchanges also exacerbate regional instability, as each side responds to perceived threats, creating a cycle of retaliation that can spiral out of control.
Interviewer: Given that a UNIFIL convoy was attacked during these events, what does this say about the current role of peacekeeping forces in Lebanon?
Expert: The involvement of UNIFIL underscores the delicate balance that peacekeeping forces must maintain in a conflict zone. Their primary mission is to help maintain peace and security. However, incidents like these put them in harm’s way and complicate their ability to operate effectively. It raises concerns about the safety of peacekeepers and their capacity to fulfill their mandate in such a hostile environment.
Interviewer: What response do you anticipate from the international community regarding these escalations?
Expert: The international community often reacts cautiously to such incidents, as they can lead to broader conflicts. There might be calls for restraint from both sides, alongside diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions. However, the effectiveness of these responses will depend significantly on the willingness of both Israel and Lebanon to engage in dialogue rather than conflict.
Interviewer: In your opinion, what steps could potentially alleviate the situation in the region going forward?
Expert: Building trust through open channels of communication is crucial. Initiatives promoting dialogue among political and military leaders, along with support from international entities like the UN, could pave the way for de-escalation. Additionally, humanitarian efforts to aid affected civilians could foster goodwill and reduce tensions through cooperative actions.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing these insights. It’s a complex and troubling situation, and we appreciate your expertise in breaking it down for us.
Expert: My pleasure. It’s important to stay informed and engaged as these developments unfold, and I hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions. Thank you for having me.