WASHINGTON: A spokesman for the US State Department has called on Israel not to attack Lebanon’s main international airport in Beirut or the roads leading to it as nations across the world try to evacuate their citizens.
“We think it is very significant that not only the airport be open, but that the roads to the airport be open so that US citizens who want to leave can get out, but also nationals of other countries,” Matthew Miller told reporters.
The development came as Israel continued its bombardment of the southern suburbs of Beirut, where the Rafic Hariri International Airport is located. Several of the strikes have hit parts near the airport in recent days.
Israel Warns to Expand Military Offensive in Lebanon
Meanwhile, the Israeli army said on Monday that it would expand its military operations against Hezbollah to Lebanon’s coast south of the Al-Awali river, and warned people to stay away from the shore in the area. Israeli forces also launched a large-scale operation, targeting more than 120 sites in southern Lebanon in just one-hour, local media reported. The targets reportedly belonged to Hezbollah.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday warned that Israeli airstrikes near the main Lebanon-Syria border crossing are putting civilians in danger, obstructing humanitarian operations, and preventing people from fleeing the conflict.
Hezbollah Launches a Series of Rocket Attacks on Israel
Hezbollah has also launched a series of rocket attacks on northern Israel. For the second time on Monday, Hezbollah claimed to have fired a “large rocket salvo” at areas north of the Israeli city of Haifa. The group also claimed responsibility for bombing Israeli forces in two southern Lebanon border villages, Maroun al-Ras and Blida, with rockets and artillery shells.
Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have rapidly escalated, with Hezbollah reporting frequent clashes in recent days. The violence follows Israel’s announcement that it had begun ground raids in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah responding by attacking Israeli military positions in the region.
Iran on Monday said that it would respond firmly to any Israeli military attack on its soil, stressing that Tehran did not want a broader war in the region. During a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said, “We are not afraid of war and will give a firm and appropriate response to any new action by the Zionist regime.”
On Tuesday last week, Iran launched around 200 missiles toward Israel, marking its second direct assault as retaliation for the killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders and a general from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
People also staged protest demonstrations against Israel’s deadly military attacks in Gaza and Lebanon around the world and demanded the world to prevent Israeli aggression.
