All three ceasefires in the Middle East have been shaken with air-strikes as southern Lebanon explodes, Israel kills Gaza Hamas boss and the Iran claims “zero trust” in US after more attacks
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed another 32 and injured 40 – one of the deadliest onslaughts of the war, sparking widespread panic as locals flee the south.
The latest escalation follows a warning by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel would escalate its operations against Hezbollah, further pushing troops into Lebanon.
Hezbollah has stepped up missile attacks on Israeli troops in northern Israel, hitting civilian sites, even as their Tehran paymasters claim negotiations are ongoing. The Iran-backed group meanwhile said it faced Israeli troops entering the southern town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, as Israeli troops expand ground operations.
Fourteen were killed in Burj al-Shamali near Tyre, five in Kawthariyat al-Riz, four in Habbush, six in Maarakeh and two in Salaa. Heavy explosions were reported in the Lebanese city of Nabatieh, one of 50 southern and eastern towns warned by Israel an attack was coming.
It followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning: “The Israeli military is operating with substantial forces on the ground and securing strategically dominant positions. We are reinforcing the security buffer zone in order to protect the communities of northern Israel.”
Despite the violence Washington and Tehran accept they are in the final stages of a memorandum of understanding, although it is believed the sides have incompatible demands. America wants an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme plus the freeing up of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran has not, it is believed, accepted the nuclear demands.
Tehran also wants to include Lebanon and Hezbollah in any lasting peace agreement, promoting the current upsurge in Israeli attacks on the terror proxy. All three Middle Eastern ceasefires have been dealt body-blows this week – Israel and Hezbollah, the US and Iran and even Israel and Hamas, in Gaza.
Even as talks are underway Israel killed the commander of Hamas’s military arm Mohammed Odeh yesterday in Gaza (Tue) after trying to track him for months. At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured in the major attack, which hit a residential building in one of Gaza City’s busiest market areas.
Israel’s military and Shin Bet spy agency said buildings that served as a hideout for Odeh were targeted after his movements were traced for several months. There has been no immediate comment from Hamas.
It is the latest deadly Israeli strike on Gaza despite a ceasefire with Hamas that began in October. Israeli troops are pushing deeper into Lebanon and Tehran officials have slammed US attacks, claiming there is ‘zero trust’ following American forces striking southern Iran earlier this week.
A spokesman for Iranian forces warned of a “much heavier response” to US attacks which appeared to breach an April 8 ceasefire even as peace talks are underway. They even hinted their response could go well “beyond regional borders,” sparking fears of a wider Middle East war.
The latest escalation from Israel and outbursts from Tehran comes as the US and Iran try to hammer out a Memorandum of Understanding to increase movement through the Strait of Hormuz, frozen since the February 8 US – Israeli airstrikes began.
