The Jewish state continues its bombings and land invasion of Lebanon. Officially, this Israeli offensive aims “ to eradicate the threat posed by Lebanese Hezbollah » through its rocket and drone fire against Israeli territory and thus allow the return home of the 60,000 displaced people from northern Israel. While Benyamin Netanyahu’s government had promised their rapid return, this has not happened so far.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Sami Boukhelifa
In the distance, Lebanon continues to be crushed by Israeli bombs. But the Jewish state may deploy all its firepower, Lebanese Hezbollah still has offensive capabilities, notes Aviv, an Israeli soldier deployed in the town of Metulla, on the edge of Lebanon: “ That’s Israeli. It’s us. But you see the charred area right there ? These are olive trees that burned after the bomb explosion. And it’s scary », he says under the sound of bombs.
After a year of limited exchange of fire between Israel and the Hezbollahthe Jewish state took action last September. First phase: the famous pager attack against the Shiite militia. Then the successive elimination of its leaders headed by Hassan Nasrallah. And finally a land invasion, coupled with bombings across the entire Lebanese territory.
“ We don’t want a war that could last five years or more »
The stated objective: stop Hezbollah attacks and allow 60,000 displaced Israelis to return home to the north of the country. But for now, the border town of Kiryat Shmona remains deserted.
Few residents, like Miki, have not left: “ Our army controls 3-4 kilometers and a few villages on the other side of the border, but it’s not enough. However, I feel much better. Because I know that the army destroyed Hezbollah’s tunnels. We were afraid that a threat would arise from this mountain. It’s very close. And then I hope that the world will help us find an agreement. Because this is how the conflict should end. We don’t want a war that could last five years or more “, he confides.
Over the past year, around forty civilians have been killed in northern Israel by Hezbollah. In Lebanon, Israeli bombings caused the deaths of nearly 3,500 people.
Also read“We can no longer bear this pressure”: in Lebanon, the village of Joun under Israeli bombs