The Israeli army is preparing, this Wednesday, January 3, for “any scenario” the day after a strike in the suburbs of Beirut fatal to number 2 of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and reviving fears of an extension of the current conflict in the Gaza Strip. “Israeli forces are in a very high state of readiness in all arenas, on defense and offense. We are highly prepared for any scenario. The most important thing to say tonight is that we are focused and remain focused on fight against Hamas,” army spokesman Daniel Hagari said late Tuesday.
The latest information:
⇒ Israel prepares for “any scenario” after fatal attack on Hamas number 2
⇒ “This crime will not go unanswered,” warns Hezbollah
⇒ “Prolonged fighting” in Gaza
Macron calls on Israel to “avoid any escalatory attitude”
Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to “avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon” during a telephone interview with Israeli Minister Benny Gantz, member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet.
During this interview, Emmanuel Macron reiterated his call to “work towards a lasting ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas and expressed “his deepest concern in the face of the very heavy civilian death toll” in the Gaza Strip. , scene of continuous air raids and artillery fire for almost three months.
“This crime will not go unanswered,” warns Hezbollah
Lebanon was shaken by a strong shock wave with a strike attributed to Israel in the southern suburbs of Beirut, stronghold of pro-Iranian Hezbollah, which killed Saleh al-Arouri, number 2 of the political branch of Hamas, as well as than at least six other of its executives.
“A movement whose leaders and founders fall as martyrs for the dignity of our people and our nation will never be defeated,” responded Ismaïl Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, denouncing “a violation of the sovereignty of Lebanon” and an “expansion” of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
Lebanese Hezbollah warned on Tuesday evening that “the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri” was not only a “serious aggression against Lebanon” but also “a serious development in the war between the enemy and the axis of resistance “, an expression designating Iran and its regional allies hostile to Israel. “This crime will not go unanswered or unpunished,” added Hezbollah, whose secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, is due to deliver a highly anticipated speech on Wednesday evening at a time when Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is accusing Israel of “wanting to drag Lebanon in a new phase of confrontation.
Gaza: an Israeli minister recommends a massive departure of Palestinians, despite American criticism
Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, again advocated this Wednesday a mass departure of Palestinians from Gaza, rejecting American criticism describing his previous statements discussing this scenario as “irresponsible”.
“The United States is our good friend, but above all, we will do what is good for the State of Israel: encouraging the emigration of hundreds of thousands of people from Gaza will allow (Israeli) residents to return home (on the edge of Gaza) and to live in safety while protecting our soldiers,” wrote Itamar Ben Gvir on the social network X in response to American criticism.
“Prolonged fighting” in Gaza
Despite pressing demands for a ceasefire from the international community, the Israeli army is preparing for “protracted fighting”, which is expected to last “throughout the year” in the Gaza Strip.
“The idea that we could stop soon is wrong. Without a clear victory, we will not be able to live in the Middle East,” added Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who visited soldiers on Tuesday – including 173 died in the Gaza Strip.
On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “deplored” “unacceptable” strikes on a hospital in Khan Younes, in the south of the Gaza Strip, which including damage to local Palestinian Red Crescent facilities.
The 2.4 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip – 85% of whom have been displaced by bombing and fighting according to the UN – face serious shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine.