A Palestinian woman looks out of her window after an Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip in Rafah on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
AP

Hezbollah’s escalating attacks on Israel risk “dragging Lebanon into a war”, Israel’s military said Sunday, after renewed cross-border exchanges of fire that have raised fears of a wider conflict.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is allied with Hamas, which touched off the latest violence with a bloody October 7 rampage in Israel that killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials.

Israel has retaliated with relentless strikes on the Iran-backed Hamas in the Gaza Strip that have killed more than 4,300 Palestinians, also mainly civilians.

It has also exchanged fire with Hezbollah across its northern border, with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus accusing the group of a dangerous escalation.

“Hezbollah… is dragging Lebanon into a war that it will gain nothing from, but stands to lose a lot,” Conricus said.

“Hezbollah is playing a very, very dangerous game. They’re escalating the situation. We see more and more attacks every day,” he said.

– AFP

U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken on Saturday discussed Hamas’ attack on Israel with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, the UK Foreign Secretary and Qatari Prime Minister.

“Spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan to discuss today’s appalling attacks on Israel. I reiterated Israel’s right to self-defence and called for coordinated efforts to achieve an immediate halt to the violent attacks by Hamas terrorists and other militants,” Blinken wrote on ‘X’ on Saturday.

He also discussed the attack with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. “We appreciate Egypt’s ongoing efforts and reiterate the urgent need to halt the Hamas attacks,” Blinken wrote.

In his talks with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Blinken reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue any hostages, and protect its citizens.

– ANI