BEIRUT: The Lebanese government continues to prepare for a possible escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as Air France on Thursday extended the suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least Sunday “due to the security situation” in Lebanon.
Tensions continued to rise last week as Iran and its allies vowed revenge for the high-profile killings of Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander, in Lebanon and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Iran. Israel is accused of carrying out both assassinations.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah forces continued to exchange fire with the Israeli military on an almost daily basis across the border between their countries.
The German Foreign Ministry reiterated its embassy in Lebanon's call for all German nationals to “immediately leave” the country “due to the growing risk of military escalation in the region”.
Amin Salam, Lebanon's economy minister, said the conflict posed a significant challenge to the government. He stressed the need to ensure food security and maintain the supply of commodities and raw materials in a country that “imports 90 percent of its needs and produces only 10 percent,” saying the economy ministry has been in a state of emergency for three years. flight.
“We need to reassure people about food security because we are constantly dealing with a crisis and with traders and citizens who are abusing the situation,” he added.
“Part of the private sector has saved the country from total collapse, while another part – a large percentage – is taking advantage of people's fear and anxiety about the future and the lack of goods and food in the event of war.”
Regarding the level of food security and strategic stocks of commodities and raw materials, Salam said the unions are reporting that “available food and raw materials can last for three months.” More shipments are on their way to Beirut, he added.
“They will arrive in the coming weeks and can cover the next two months, which means we have enough food and commodities for five months.
“Israel is targeting the Lebanese economy systematically through the destruction of the agricultural sector and the burning of Lebanese soil. Agriculture provided part of the country's foreign exchange through exports.”
Damage to the agricultural sector has cost the country billions of dollars, Salam said.
He added that “internal and external” media are warning that Lebanon's only airport, Rafic Hariri International, may be a target.
“It was a blow to the tourism sector as it led emigrants and tourists to leave Lebanon while bookings were cancelled,” he said.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, a car on the road connecting the towns of Yarine and Jebbayn was attacked by an Israeli combat drone. According to the EMS operations center of the Ministry of Health, three people were injured.
On Wednesday night, the Israeli army advanced north in the area south of the Litani River and carried out its first raid in the town of Doueir, destroying an uninhabited house belonging to the Rammal family.
And Israeli warplanes attacked the outskirts of Mansouri city in Tire district, causing severe damage to property, crops and infrastructure.
Seeking to reassure Lebanese worried about the possibility of the conflict escalating into a wider war, Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad said the party “takes into account the unique characteristics of Lebanon and the highest national interests, as well as the interests of our people.” .
“Therefore, while we are determined not to allow the enemy to break the rules, regardless of the cost or how far the confrontation may go, we act in the interests of our people and our homeland, which we do not threaten. .”
He continued: “Those who want to stop the collapse and this unstable situation spreading throughout the region must press the Israeli enemy to stop its aggression against Gaza.
“But how can we understand calls for a ceasefire or prevent escalation if these parties continue to supply the enemy with the latest missiles, aerial artillery and other weapons from their arsenals?”
His comments came as Hezbollah responded to Israeli attacks with a drone strike targeting Israeli soldiers at the Al-Marj military site. The party said it “scored a direct hit and caused confirmed injuries”.
Elsewhere, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a message posted on social media platform X: “Warplanes of the Air Force destroyed several Hezbollah infrastructures in Bint Jbeil, Majdal Zoun and Doueir.
As part of a diplomatic effort by government officials from Lebanon and other countries with influence over the fighters to prevent further escalation of the conflict, Abdullah Bou Habib, the interim foreign minister, received a phone call from his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide.
His media office said Eide offered assurances that Norway “is committed to working with all relevant parties to ease tensions and prevent further conflicts” and that “prioritizing the interests of the Palestinians and achieving a ceasefire in Gaza requires avoiding flare-ups.” of war in the region.” Eide also “reaffirmed that Norway, which attaches great importance to Lebanon, does not wish to become a victim of a new wave of escalation and wars in the region.”
Bou Habib said: “Israel's escalation aims to disrupt the initiative launched by US President Joe Biden to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.”
He condemned Israel's “deliberate targeting of civilians in attacks on Lebanon, which is a clear violation of the principles of international law” and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted on June 10, calling for a ceasefire agreement. in the war between Israel and Hamas.
