Netanyahu threatens Lebanon with destruction ‘like Gaza’

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanon on Tuesday it could face destruction “like Gaza” as Israel ramps up its ground offensive against Hezbollah along the southern section of the Lebanese coast.

“You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza,” Netanyahu said in a video address directed to the people of Lebanon.

“I say to you, the people of Lebanon: Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end.”

While the coast has not been spared, Israel´s latest evacuation warning suggests it is extending its offensive northwards.The Israeli prime minister issued a video message to the people of Lebanon, in which he told them: “It is your choice. You can now take back your country. You can return it to a path of peace and prosperity.

“Each of you can take a step for your future. Even a small step. Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end.”

Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli military had killed the would-be successors of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader killed in a strike on Beirut last month.

The Israeli prime minister had issued a similar statement to the people of Iran last month, telling them that the Iranian regime “doesn’t care” about them.

The message came as more of Israel’s allies, including the UK and France, called for a ceasefire in the Middle East. Around one million civilians are estimated to have left their homes in Lebanon since Israel launched its ground invasion at the start of this month.

Israel has insisted that it has only targeted Hezbollah positions in an attempt to bring back around 60,000 displaced citizens to their homes in the north, which is suffering daily rocket attacks.

Although he did not name him, it is thought he was referring to Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin.

Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in the Mezzah suburb west of the Syrian capital Damascus, killing seven civilians and injuring 11 others, Syrian state media reported on Tuesday.

Preliminary reports said the seven civilians included women and children, state media reported citing a military source, adding it also caused “grave” material damage on private properties in surrounding areas.

As per the cited source, the airstrike was conducted through three missiles coming from the direction of the Golan heights.

State media earlier reported that Syria’s air defences had intercepted “hostile” targets in the vicinity of Damascus.