Lebanon warns of danger of dragging country into new war

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned on Saturday of the dangers of dragging Lebanon into a new war after Israeli forces claimed to have intercepted three rockets fired from southern Lebanon toward the Israeli settlement of Metula.

This marked the first rocket attack of its kind since a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect nearly four months ago.

In a statement, Salam cautioned against “further military escalation on Lebanon's southern border,” noting “the grave consequences it could have for Lebanon and its people.”

He emphasized that “the continuation of hostilities could lead to a new war that would only bring destruction and suffering to the Lebanese people.”

Earlier, Israeli forces launched airstrikes in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon, and artillery shells hit the town of Khiam in the Marjayoun district, according to Lebanese news reports.

Salam noted holding phone conversations with Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mounir and UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

During his discussions with Mounir, Salam urged for “decisive action to ensure that only the Lebanese state retains the authority to declare war or peace,” reaffirming the government's “responsibility to manage the situation and prevent further military escalation.”

Salam also expressed his concerns over Israel's continued occupation of parts of Lebanese territory and called on the international community to “exert greater pressure on Israel to fully withdraw from the occupied territories, as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”

Earlier on Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any further rocket fire targeting Metula would be met with Israeli strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut.

This latest round of cross-border violence comes amid growing tensions following Israel's violation of a ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

A fragile ceasefire had also been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, that escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities reported nearly 1,100 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of at least 85 victims and injuries to more than 280.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.