German Foreign Minister: The Presence of the Israeli Army in Southern Lebanon is Necessary

SadaNews - German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephol expressed his support for keeping Israel's forces in certain areas of southern Lebanon under the pretext of protecting the north from Hezbollah attacks.

This came during a joint press conference yesterday, Tuesday, in Berlin, with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar, who was making an official visit to Germany.

While Sa'ar reiterated during the press conference the claims that "Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon," Wadephol expressed his support for this stance and considered the presence of Israeli forces in this area "necessary."

The German minister condemned "Hezbollah's attacks on Israel," calling on the Lebanese government to take decisive actions to disarm it.

On another note, Wadephol warned against attempting to resolve the conflict with Hezbollah at the expense of civilians in Lebanon, emphasizing the need to reach an agreement to protect civilians on both sides, expressing hope that negotiations between Lebanon and Israel would lead to an agreement.

Wadephol rejected the transformation of Lebanon into "a battlefield where civilians pay the price" amid Israel's intensified airstrikes and ground invasion in southern Lebanon.

He stated, "It is unacceptable for the young generation in Lebanon to grow up amidst the ruins of their parents' homes," pointing out that this would not make Israel "safer either."

For his part, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar claimed that "the residents of northern Israel are living an unbearable reality" due to Hezbollah's attacks.

He alleged that Israel, in its ground invasion of southern Lebanon, "does not aspire to annex any Lebanese territory," claiming that its presence in southern Lebanon "aims only to protect its residents."

Field Developments

The Israeli army carried out 60 attacks on Lebanon yesterday, Tuesday, resulting in the martyrdom of 5 people and the injury of others, as part of ongoing aggression since March 2.

In response, Hezbollah conducted 17 offensive operations against Israeli targets in southern Lebanon, stating that these targeted tanks, vehicles, and gatherings of soldiers, according to Anadolu Agency.

Despite a ceasefire, the occupying Israeli army continues to carry out strikes and extensive demolition and explosion operations in many border towns in the south.

It has also established a 10-kilometer zone prohibited to the press and residents and announced the establishment of what it calls a "yellow line" that separates dozens of villages from other areas.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of about 2,700 people and injuries to over 8,200 since March 2.

Israel and Lebanon agreed on a fragile ceasefire in mid-April, which was later extended to May. However, Israel continued to occupy parts of southern Lebanon and demolish towns there.

Source: Al Jazeera