The situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border today warns of an imminent outbreak of widespread fighting, expected to be initiated by the Israeli army against Lebanon, disregarding the rules of war and the necessity to avoid civilian casualties. Netanyahu threatened "Hezbollah" following the attack on the city of "Majdal Shams," considering it a heinous crime against civilian children, which he claims deserves a devastating response from Israel. This language, this pretext, and this justification echo the rationale for the genocidal crimes committed by Israeli forces against the defenseless civilian population in Gaza.
Nasrallah had warned Israel days ago, in clear terms, that Israel's recent targeting of civilians in southern Lebanon would require the Islamic resistance to respond similarly, without regard for any rules concerning Israeli northern settlements. In light of this situation, Washington and the United Nations forces have called upon all parties to exercise restraint to prevent an escalation of catastrophic fighting.
In response, the Lebanese government issued a statement denouncing any actions against any civilians in any direction. Walid Jumblatt, the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party with a Druze political identity, condemned any actions against any civilians, attempting to take a non-sectarian yet principled stance, even though Majdal Shams is a Druze village with Israeli citizenship holders. At the same time, sources within "Hezbollah" denied any responsibility for the Majdal Shams operation, asserting that it is not the party's policy to target civilians at any stage of the conflict with Israel.
The American envoy to Lebanon is making maximum diplomatic efforts through intensive communications with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The ball is now in Netanyahu's court, as he must decide whether to escalate the military conflict towards the Lebanese side and shift from the Gaza front to the southern Lebanese front. The ball is in Netanyahu's court.