Caretaker Lebanese government urgently convening after an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. (Credit: Mikati's media office)
The Lebanese caretaker government convened an emergency session on Wednesday in response to a sharp escalation in violence following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs Tuesday night, and a separate attack that killed Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. These events have raised fears of further conflict in the region.
Over the weekend, a missile attack allegedly originating from Lebanon killed 12 children and teenagers in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights. Israel and the United States accused Hezbollah of carrying out the attack, though Hezbollah has denied any involvement. The incident, however, made a severe Israeli response almost inevitable.
The strike on Haret Hreik resulted in four deaths, including two women and two children, according to the latest update from the National News Agency (NNA). Hezbollah has not yet confirmed whether the target of the strike, Fouad Shukur, a senior military commander, was killed in the bombing, as reported by Israel.
After the Cabinet meeting, caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makary stated that "the government session will remain open."
"We do not want war; the government's efforts are focused on diplomacy," he said, mentioning a "government plan that is ready in case of a large displacement of people in Lebanon."
"All options remain on the table," added the minister, who indicated that Lebanon will file a new complaint with the United Nations following the strike. This procedure has "become a traditional step," as Beirut has filed about twenty similar complaints since October.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned the airstrike, stating, "Our national duty necessitated this exceptional government meeting to respond to the Israeli aggression and condemn the assassination and killing of children. The situation has escalated to a dangerous level, turning Lebanon into a battlefield of war, killing, and destruction."
"I wish the boycotting ministers had participated today, as boycotting is ineffective in such a grave situation," he remarked, referring to ministers close to the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) who have boycotted sessions since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Mikati said, "With Beirut under attack and the southern regions facing continuous bombardment, it is as if the world views these heinous acts as mere incidents. We strongly condemn the attack on Beirut's southern suburb and warn against the deterioration of the situation if Israel continues its reckless and murderous actions."
In a separate incident, Hamas confirmed that their political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed by an Israeli strike early Wednesday morning in Tehran.
Addressing this, Mikati stated, "We strongly condemn the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. This action poses a serious threat to global security and stability in the region."
Expressing condolences to the families of the victims in Beirut and the Golan Heights, Mikati called for international intervention. "We urge the world, witnessing Israel's crimes, to force it to cease fire and adhere to international resolutions and laws, particularly Resolution 1701. The world must stop being a mere observer of Israel's transgressions," he emphasized.
In a call for national solidarity, Mikati urged all Lebanese to unite and show resilience. "We must come together to prove our unity, show solidarity with our people, and reject any aggression against any part of Lebanon," he asserted.
Mikati concluded by reaffirming Lebanon's desire for peace, stating, "The attack on the southern suburbs targets efforts for peace and understanding. We remain committed to protecting our country and preserving the dignity and sovereignty of our people. Lebanon does not want war but seeks to uphold its rights without compromise."
The region remains tense as Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging attacks daily since the conflict began on Oct. 8. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has previously warned that any attack on Beirut's southern suburbs would prompt a retaliatory strike on Tel Aviv.
