In a significant diplomatic development, Russia has called on Israel to immediately withdraw its troops from Lebanon, cautioning that continued military operations could further escalate violence in the already volatile Middle East. The statement from Russia came shortly after Israel confirmed it had launched a “limited” ground incursion into Lebanon, involving commando and paratroop units.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces initiated raids into Lebanese territory, stating that the operation was part of a tactical ground incursion. According to Israel, the raids were a response to escalating hostilities from Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, which has been firing missiles into Israel, targeting key locations including the country’s intelligence hub near Tel Aviv.
Hezbollah confirmed that it had launched a significant missile strike against Israel in retaliation for the assassination of several of its leaders. The situation between the two nations has been intensifying, with cross-border hostilities growing since the beginning of the conflict.
In response to these developments, Russia’s foreign ministry issued a strongly worded statement condemning Israel’s actions in Lebanon. “Russia strongly condemns the attack on Lebanon and calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately cease hostilities, withdraw their troops from Lebanese territory, and engage in a real search for peaceful ways to resolve the Middle East conflict,” the ministry’s statement said.
Russia’s intervention highlights the growing international concern over the potential for the conflict to spiral out of control. Moscow’s statement also emphasized that Israel’s actions, particularly in the wake of Hezbollah leaders’ assassinations, would inevitably lead to a worsening of the regional crisis.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been intensifying in recent weeks, with Israel launching extensive airstrikes on Hezbollah positions across Lebanon, including Beirut. The strikes have resulted in widespread casualties and destruction, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting over 960 deaths and more than 2,770 injuries since the violence erupted.
Russia’s warning comes at a crucial time, as international diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict have so far made little progress. Moscow, which maintains strong ties with both Lebanon and Iran, is positioning itself as a mediator to potentially broker a ceasefire agreement between the warring parties.
Global reactions to the ongoing conflict have been mixed, with various nations calling for restraint while others, including the United States, have backed Israel’s right to defend itself from Hezbollah’s attacks. However, Russia’s explicit call for Israel to withdraw its troops from Lebanon marks one of the strongest condemnations from a major global power.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether diplomatic pressure from international players like Russia will prompt Israel to reconsider its military strategy in Lebanon or lead to a broader peace initiative to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict.
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