Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where at least 37,718 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has issued a severe warning to Hezbollah, stating Israel is capable of inflicting ‘enormous damage’ on Lebanon in the event of war. The United Nations, through Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths, has warned of the potentially ‘apocalyptic’ consequences of such a conflict, which could engulf the entire region. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has rejected the idea of turning Lebanon into a battleground and has appealed to the international community to halt Israel’s continuous attacks.In response to escalating regional tensions, the US and Israel have smoothed out a dispute over military aid. After four days of talks in Washington, Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant confirmed that ‘obstacles have been removed and bottlenecks have been cleared’. This resolution comes after the US had delayed the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel, citing concerns over civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military is reportedly preparing for a potential war with Hezbollah, with the US urging its citizens to leave Lebanon due to the rising tensions.
Key points
- Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza have resulted in at least 37,718 Palestinian deaths since October 2023.
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warns of severe repercussions for Lebanon if conflict with Hezbollah escalates.
- The UN expresses concern over the potential for a catastrophic regional war.
- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati calls for international intervention to stop Israeli aggression.
- The US and Israel resolve a dispute over military aid, ensuring the continuation of arms deliveries to Israel.
