Lebanon at risk of ‘new war’ – PM

Nawaf Salam has warned of an escalation as Israel renews attacks on the country

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has warned that Israeli airstrikes could drag the country into a “new war,” following deadly attacks on towns in the south.

According to a statement published on his official website on Saturday, the prime minister “warned of renewed military operations on the southern border, because of the risks they carry dragging the country into a new war, which will bring woes to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.” Salam also stressed the need to ensure that “the [Lebanese] state alone has the power to decide war and peace.”

He also called on the UN to apply pressure on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, warning that continued hostilities threaten the truce currently in place.

On Saturday, Israeli jets struck Tyre, Zibqin, and Qlaileh. The Israeli military said the action was “in response to the rocket fire at Israel” from around 6km north of the border. West Jerusalem blamed Hezbollah for the launches and said it targeted the group’s rocket sites.

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In a separate statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military “to act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon.” Netanyahu added that the Lebanese government is responsible for “everything taking place within its territory.”

Hezbollah has denied involvement, calling the accusations a pretext for further aggression.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that one person was killed in Tyre and four wounded in Qlaileh. Earlier raids on Touline left five dead, including two children, with 11 others injured.

The fighting began when Hezbollah opened fire on Israeli positions in support of Gaza, following West Jerusalem’s military response to Hamas’ October 7 attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage.

Cross-border clashes later escalated into a full Israeli offensive that killed senior Hezbollah figures, destroyed weapons stockpiles, and caused mass civilian casualties.

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A ceasefire has been in effect since November under a US-brokered deal requiring both sides to halt military operations along the border.

Andrea Tenenti, the spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, called the situation “very concerning” and urged “maximum restraint.” He said intense negotiations are underway “to prevent any escalation of the conflict and of the tension – something that no one wants to see after 16 months of conflict in this region.”