Lebanese firefighters extinguish a fire in an area targeted by an Israeli strike in a pine forest in Marjayoun, June 13, 2024. (Credit: Rabih Daher/AFP)
The United States and Iraq expressed deep concern on Thursday at the growing hostilities on the Lebanese-Israeli border, raising fears of an escalation to an all-out war as Hezbollah and Israel exchanged increasingly intense strikes, stoking fears of a major confrontation.
A senior US official, quoted anonymously by Reuters, stressed that specific security arrangements are needed and that a simple ceasefire in Gaza is not enough. The head of Iraqi diplomacy warned of the "danger" of the conflict spreading to southern Lebanon, during a meeting in Baghdad with his Iranian counterpart.
The US is very concerned that hostilities on the Lebanese-Israeli border could escalate into a full-blown war, the US official told Reuters. "We have had conversations, consistently and urgently, at various times with Israel and Lebanon over the past eight months, and since the very beginning of this crisis [...] to prevent it from escalating into an all-out war that could have implications elsewhere in the region," he said.
"A return to the status quo of Oct. 6 in Lebanon is not an acceptable or viable option."
Receiving Iran's acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, on Thursday, Iraqi diplomatic chief Fouad Hussein said discussions had focused on the "dangerous signals" posing the threat of a "possible attack on southern Lebanon, and the expansion of the war in Lebanon."
"If southern Lebanon is attacked, it will affect the whole region. The expansion of the war is a danger, not only for Lebanon but for the whole region," warned Hussein at a press briefing.
Permanent Ceasefire
The Iraqi minister once again called for "a permanent ceasefire in Gaza." Meanwhile, the Iranian minister urged an immediate and unconditional end to the "war crimes" and "genocide" in Gaza. He suggested that due to their "failure" in Gaza, the "Zionists" might seek to commit further wrongs and expand their aggression.
Highlighting an unprecedented attack by Tehran against Israel last April, Bagheri emphasized that such an operation "proved" that Iran "would not allow anyone, not even the Zionists, to harm regional stability and security, even slightly."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated Wednesday in Doha that the best way to foster a diplomatic solution in northern Israel is to resolve the conflict in Gaza in the south. "This would significantly ease the pressure on the system," he said. "Hezbollah would no longer be able to justify its attacks, and I think this would pave the way for a diplomatic solution." However, he stressed that more would be needed. "A ceasefire alone is not enough... there needs to be an agreement that allows Israelis to return home in the north of the country," he said.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at northern Israel, promising to intensify its attacks to avenge the death of a senior military commander killed the previous day in an Israeli targeted strike on southern Lebanon. The Israeli army reported that around 160 projectiles were fired from Lebanon into Israel in successive barrages, without causing any casualties according to initial reports from local authorities.
On Thursday, Hezbollah announced in a statement that it had launched "rocket and drone" attacks on several Israeli military bases and positions. Hezbollah fighters launched "a rocket and drone attack targeting six barracks and military sites" while simultaneously flying "squadrons of explosive-laden drones" at three other Israeli bases.