BEIRUT: The Lebanese government continues to prepare for an escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, with Air France extending the suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least Sunday “due to the security situation” in Lebanon on Thursday.
Tensions have continued to rise in the past week as Iran and its allies vowed revenge for the killings of Fouad Shukr, a top military commander for Lebanon's Hezbollah group, and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Iran's Hamas group. Israel has blamed both killings.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah forces continue to exchange fire with Israeli troops almost daily along their international border.
The German foreign ministry has reiterated the embassy's call on all German citizens in Lebanon to “leave the country immediately” “due to the increasing risk of military escalation in the region”.
Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam said the conflict was a major challenge for the government, stressing the need to ensure food security and maintain the supply of commodities and raw materials in a country that “imports 90 percent of consumer goods and produces only 10 percent,” and said the economy ministry had been in a state of emergency for three years.
“We need to assure people about food security because we are constantly dealing with this crisis and there are also vendors and people who are taking advantage of this situation,” he added.
A portion of the private sector saves the country from total collapse, while a substantial portion takes advantage of the public's fears and concerns about the future, including shortages of commodities and food in the event of war.
When it comes to food security and stockpiles of strategic goods and raw materials, Salam said the union reported that “the available food and raw materials are enough for three months,” adding that more shipments were being sent to Beirut.
“They will arrive in the next few weeks and could cover an additional two months, meaning we will have enough food and essential goods for five months.”
“Israel’s attacks on Lebanon’s economy are systematic, destroying its agricultural sector and burning Lebanese land. Agriculture is a source of foreign exchange for the country, partly through exports.”
Salam said the damage to the agricultural sector was costing the country billions of dollars.
He added that both domestic and international media had raised alarms that Lebanon's only airport, Rafik Hariri International Airport, could be targeted.
“This is an attack on the tourism sector, as it is driving expatriates and tourists out of Lebanon while bookings are being canceled,” he said.
Meanwhile, a car on the road between Yarin and Jebbain was hit by an Israeli drone on Thursday, injuring three people, the Health Ministry's emergency operations center said.
On Wednesday night, the Israeli army moved north in an area south of the Litani River and made its first offensive against the town of Duerr, destroying the abandoned home of the Rammal family.
And Israeli warplanes have struck the suburbs of Mansouri in the Tyre region, causing severe damage to property, crops and infrastructure.
In an effort to reassure Lebanese worried about the possibility of the conflict escalating into a wider war, Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad said the party “takes into account Lebanon’s uniqueness and national interests, including those of our people.”
“Therefore, although we are determined not to allow the enemy to violate the rules, no matter what the cost or how far the confrontation goes, we are acting in the interests of our people and our motherland, and we will not compromise in any way.”
“Those who want to stop the collapse of the state and the dire situation that is spreading throughout the region must pressure Israel’s enemies to stop their aggression against the Gaza Strip,” he added.
“But how can we understand calls for a ceasefire or prevent an escalation if these parties continue to supply the enemy with the latest missiles, artillery and other weapons?”
His comments came as Hezbollah responded to an Israeli attack with a drone strike that targeted Israeli soldiers at the al-Marj military base. The party said: “They succeeded in carrying out a direct hit and caused many casualties.”
“Air Force warplanes destroyed several Hezbollah infrastructure in Bint Jbel, Majdal Zone and Douar,” Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a message posted on social media platform X.
As part of diplomatic efforts by Lebanese officials and other countries with influence over the warring factions to avoid a further escalation of the conflict, Acting Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib received a phone call from Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eid.
The former Israeli leader's news agency said Ide pledged that Norway was “committed to working with all relevant parties to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflicts” and that “prioritizing the interests of the Palestinian people and reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is necessary to avoid sparking a regional war.” Ide also “reaffirmed that Norway, which attaches great importance to Lebanon, does not want to fall victim to a new wave of violence and war in the region.”
“Israel's escalation is aimed at thwarting the initiative launched by US President Joe Biden to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,” Bou Habib said.
He condemned “Israel’s deliberate attacks on civilians in Lebanon, which is a grave violation of the principles of international law,” and called for full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2735, which was adopted on June 10, and called for a full ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
