Egypt condemns Israeli escalation against Lebanon, warns of potential all-out regional war

CAIRO – 23 September 2024: Egypt condemned the dangerous Israeli escalation in Lebanon and the extensive military operations that have resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of Lebanese, including women and children.

Egypt expressed its heartfelt solidarity with Lebanon and its people, extending sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, said the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Monday evening.

Egypt reaffirmed its strong rejection of any violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territory, the statement added.

Egypt has previously warned about the risks posed by ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and the potential for it to escalate into a broader regional conflict.

While continuing its efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and mitigate the consequences of the war, Egypt called on international powers and the United Nations Security Council to intervene immediately to halt the Israeli escalation, which threatens the fate of the region's peoples and the prospects for peace.

Egypt advocated for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, an immediate cessation of hostilities, the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 without selectivity, and the opportunity for diplomatic solutions, emphasizing that military escalation will only worsen the crisis.

Since Monday morning, Israel has air-stricken Southern Lebanon, Beqaa, and Dahieh city, southern Beirut, killing about 356 people (including 24 children and 42 women,) and injuring more than 1,246 others.

Some whole Lebanese families were killed in the Israeli attacks. Also, some killed people are still unidentified, amid expectations of a potential all-out regional war.

The military confrontation between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel has escalated recently, especially after the latter carried out a series of simultaneous attacks by detonating pagers and telecommunication devices that killed dozens of people and injured other hundreds.

Israeli Army announced that its military escalation on Southern Lebanon is to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure, which has been established on the 20 years. Israel also claimed that it killed the third leader of Hezbollah Ali Kerki; however, Hezbollah denied the assassination of Kerki, assuring that he is in a safe place.

Across Lebanon, study at schools and universities has been suspended on Mondays and Tuesdays. Meanwhile, dozens of schools have been turned into shelters for displaced people from the southern villages and towns.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced the state of emergency in all hospitals and medical centers. In a press conference held on Monday afternoon, Health Minister Firas Al-Abyadh said that Israel has attacked hospitals and medical centers.

In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a barrage of missiles against northern Israel like Haifa and central and lower Galilee, the northern Golan Heights, Jezreel Valley, and Shomron area. HaAmakim, injuring several Israelis. Israeli media outlets also reported that an Israeli woman killed in a missile strike.

Some missiles that launched by Hezbollah hit settlements in the occupied West Bank, injuring some settlers. Hezbollah’s attacks aim to hit the military sites inside Israel.