BEIRUT: The Lebanese government continues its preparations for a possible escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as Air France on Thursday extended its suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least Sunday “due to the security situation” in Lebanon.
Tensions have continued to rise in the past week, as Iran and its allies vowed to retaliate for the high-profile killings of Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander, in Lebanon and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Iran. Israel is accused of carrying out both murders.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah forces have continued to exchange fire with the Israeli military on an almost daily basis across the border between their countries.
Germany's foreign ministry has reiterated the call from its embassy in Lebanon to all German citizens to “immediately leave” the country “due to the increasing risk of military escalation in the region.”
Amin Salam, the Lebanese economy minister, said the conflict posed a significant challenge to the government. He emphasized the need to ensure food security and maintain the availability of raw materials and raw materials in a country that “imports 90 percent of its needs and produces only 10 percent,” saying the Ministry of Economy has been in a state of emergency for three years.
“We need to reassure people about food security as we are constantly dealing with the crisis and with traders and citizens taking advantage of the situation,” he added.
“Part of the private sector has saved the country from total collapse, while another part – a large part – exploits people's fear and anxiety about the future and the lack of raw materials and food if a war breaks out.”
Regarding levels of food security and strategic stocks of raw materials and raw materials, Salam said the unions report that “available food and raw materials can last for three months.” More shipments are on their way to Beirut, he added.
“They will arrive in the coming weeks and can cover another two months, which means we have enough food and raw materials for five months.
“Israel's targeting of the Lebanese economy is systematic through the destruction of the agricultural sector and the burning of Lebanese land. Agriculture provided part of the country's foreign exchange through exports.”
The damage to the agricultural sector has cost the country billions of dollars, Salam said.
He added that “internal and external” media have sounded the alarm warning that Lebanon's only airport, Rafic Hariri International, could be targeted.
“This was a blow to the tourism sector, as it led expatriates and tourists to leave Lebanon while reservations were cancelled,” he said.
Meanwhile, a car on a road connecting the towns of Yarine and Jebbayn was attacked by an Israeli combat drone on Thursday. Three people were injured, according to the Ministry of Health's emergency center.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli army advanced northward in the area south of the Litani River and carried out its first raid in the town of Doueir, destroying an uninhabited house belonging to the Rammal family.
And Israeli warplanes attacked the outskirts of the town of Mansouri in Tire district, causing serious damage to property, crops and infrastructure.
Seeking 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 unique characteristics and the highest national interests, as well as the interests of our people. .
“Therefore, although we are determined not to allow the enemy to break the rules, regardless of the cost or how far the confrontation may go, we act in the interest of our people and our homeland, which we do not compromise in any way. .”
He continued: “Those who want to stop the state of collapse, and this volatile situation sweeping the entire region, must pressure the Israeli enemy to stop its aggression against Gaza.
“But how can we understand the demands for a ceasefire or prevent escalation if these parties continue to supply the enemy with the latest missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and other weapons from their arsenals?”
His comments came as Hezbollah responded to Israeli assaults with a drone strike targeting Israeli soldiers at the Al-Marj military site. The party said “it received a direct hit and inflicted confirmed damage.”
Elsewhere, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a message posted on social media platform X: “The Air Force warplane destroyed several Hezbollah infrastructures in Bint Jbeil, Majdal Zoun and Doueir.”
As part of diplomatic efforts by government officials from Lebanon and other countries with influence over the combatants to avoid further escalation of the conflict, Abdullah Bou Habib, the interim foreign minister, received a phone call from his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide.
The former's media office said Eide offered an assurance that Norway “is committed to working with all relevant parties to reduce tensions and prevent further conflict,” and that “prioritizing the interests of the Palestinians and achieving a ceasefire in Gaza requires avoiding the ignition. war in the region.” Eide “also confirmed that Norway, which attaches great importance to Lebanon, does not want it to become a victim of a new wave of escalation and war in the region.”
Bou Habib said: “The Israeli escalation aims to disrupt the initiative launched by US President Joe Biden to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”
He condemned “Israel's deliberate targeting of civilians in its attacks on Lebanon, in flagrant violation of the principles of international law,” and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735, which was adopted on June 10 and calls for a ceasefire agreement. in the war between Israel and Hamas.
