Yesterday, the field escalation in the south did not fade, peaking in the evening with "Hezbollah" targeting an Israeli military vehicle after Israel shelled some observation points belonging to "the Party." This preceded the shelling with missile launches from the Qaliliya area south of Tyre towards the Galilee in northern Israel. What distinguished this escalation is that it was devoid of human casualties, unlike the escalation last Monday, but it was not without the Palestinian presence, with participation from the "Hamas" movement following an operation by the "Islamic Jihad" two days ago.
Is there a significance to this development in escalation? According to information gleaned from diplomatic communications conducted in Beirut with official and party entities, it has been revealed that "Hezbollah" received a notification indicating that Israel considers it responsible for any military action originating from Lebanese territory adjacent to the Israeli border, whether it be a specific site, as was the case with the "Jihad" operation, or through missile launches like those that occurred yesterday from the Qaliliya plain. Accordingly, as the data indicates, Israel decided to respond to the sources of fire by targeting "the Party's" positions as occurred in the past two days.
From monitoring the field developments, it is clear that "Hamas" played a role following the "Jihad" operation, announcing in an evening statement on behalf of "Al-Qassam Brigades" its responsibility for "a focused missile bombardment on the Galilee settlements from southern Lebanon." What requires follow-up on subsequent developments is whether the southern theater is heading towards skirmishes that do not spill blood, or whether it signifies a new "drawing" between "the Party" and Israel.
In this context, a statement issued last night by the "Islamic Resistance," the military wing of "Hezbollah," said that in response to Israeli attacks targeting a number of observation points belonging to the Islamic Resistance, our fighters last night targeted an Israeli vehicle of the Zilda type at the Sadah position west of the town of Salha (the settlement known as Avivim) with two guided missiles, which hit and completely destroyed it.
In parallel with the field developments, the caretaker government appeared confused in handling the ongoing developments starting from Gaza in Palestine and extending to southern Lebanon. This confusion became evident in the text of the invitation sent out to convene a government session under the title "Review of Current Developments" and "The Syrian Displacement Issue." However, the invitation did not reference developments in the south with a single word. "Nidaa Al-Watan" learned that Mikati, during his visit to President of the Parliament Nabih Berri, requested him to work on "keeping the south away from the Gaza war." Information expected that a position will be issued by the government in its session tomorrow.
Mikati met U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea, who also visited President Berri and conveyed a firm position from the U.S. regarding opening a front in the south. In the same vein, intermittent clashes warn of a major explosion if Israel continues to violate the rules of engagement established under UN Resolution 1701 of 2006. At the same time, a senior official ruled out that the situation on the southern front would expand beyond its current state, given that everyone is aware of the risks that Lebanon, drowning in collapse on all sectors and levels, could face.
"Al-Jumhuriya" learned from governmental sources that Lebanon, in light of the Gaza war and the successive setbacks on the southern front, is facing several possibilities, the worst of which is entering into a war against Israel, which is the latter. These sources stated that the situation will remain as it is until a national unity government is formed in Israel, which will determine the fate of the war regarding a land invasion into Gaza.
Government sources revealed that multiple calls are being received by President Najib Mikati from those seeking to know "Hezbollah's" intentions concerning the borders, as well as to convey pressure messages to the resistance to avoid escalation "that would have a strong and harsh backlash" on Lebanon. The response was that the decision is not in the hands of the government, and "Hezbollah" does not reflect reassuring atmospheres nor provides guarantees, stating that developments will be assessed day by day.
The same sources affirmed that the atmospheres of government and diplomatic communications from both parties (Hezbollah and the Israeli enemy) do not provide assurances, as neither "the Party" is reassured that it will not react, nor has Israel, on its part, stopped the warnings and threats it sends to Lebanon regarding the potential consequences of any military action "because the response will be very severe."
Sources familiar with "Hezbollah's" stance told "Al-Jumhuriya" that the possibility of direct entry into war against Israel is not ruled out if the situation in Gaza escalates into a larger offensive, and military operations are expanded to include a land entry into Gaza, because the strategic Palestinian issue is greater than Lebanon.
In any case, these developments will be discussed at the cabinet table tomorrow, Thursday. "Al-Jumhuriya" learned that Bou Habib will head to Cairo this morning to participate in the urgent meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers scheduled for this afternoon at the Arab League headquarters, which is dedicated to discussing the repercussions of the Gaza war and what diplomacy has failed to achieve so far, as well as what can be done to avert the worst.
On another note, "Nidaa Al-Watan" reported from Nabatieh that the movement of displacement from the towns has been notable and varied. Mayor of Rmeish, Milad Al-Alam, stated that the movement of displacement from the town towards Beirut was relatively large; however, he was surprised by the substantial influx of Syrian refugees into the town. Al-Alam explained that "while the sons of the town were leaving out of fear, we were surprised by the large number of Syrians entering the town." He indicated that they were apprehended and those who entered illegally were deported. He remarked, "I do not know if they were infiltrators or had the aim of theft or perhaps occupying our homes." He noted that "when they attempted to enter at night, they were shouting 'Allahu Akbar,' which is a matter that requires concern." In this context, he pointed out that there is complete coordination with the municipal council of Aita al-Chaab on this file. An official source reported that schools will close their doors today in the border areas for the second day, in anticipation of developments. It is also known that similar concerns are prevailing in several border towns in the south.
