Israel will keep up military action against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, though the new phase of fighting does include significant risks, the country’s defence minister has said.
“In the new phase of the war there are significant opportunities but also significant risks. Hezbollah feels that it is being persecuted and the sequence of military actions will continue,” Yoav Gallant said in a statement.
“Our goal is to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. As time goes by, Hezbollah will pay an increasing price,” Mr Gallant said.
‘Too many’ UN staff being killed in Gaza, agency says
“Too many” staff members of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees are being killed in Gaza, the head of the agency has said as he warned about the spread of misinformation about the group.
Philippe Lazzarini said UNRWA “continues to be the target of a barrage of misinformation and disinformation,” including “attempts of justifying the killing of staff by labelling them operatives of armed groups like Hamas.”
He added: “Such horrific claims, made publicly, are not backed by evidence and are dangerous.
“Most importantly, they instigate fear among our humanitarian frontline workers in Gaza.”
The misinformation is aimed at “creating distraction from the atrocities of this war,” he said, as well as “dehumanisation by rendering the unbearable justifiable” and “undermining and eliminating UNRWA”.
“Everyone has a responsibility to control the spread of inaccurate or malicious information. Before sharing, check the facts to avoid the trap of putting the lives of others at risk.”
US ‘committed’ to Israel’s defence – but does not want escalation
The US is committed to the defence of Israel against “terrorists” including Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies, the state department has said.
Spokesperson Matthew Miller added the US does not want to see “any party” escalate the conflict.
It comes after at least 37 were killed in Lebanon across a series of blasts in the country linked to pagers and communication devices used by Hezbollah militants.
Thousands were also injured.
As we’ve been reporting today, Israel has said it will continue military action in Lebanon (see our 17.40 post) and Hezbollah warned the pager explosions could be a “declaration of war”.
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