Israeli drones attacked a car in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Rahal today, killing one person and wounded another, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. This was the latest in an ever-increasing series of escalating Israeli strikes on the area, with threats to escalate even further.
The car was struck near a school in the town, and sparked panic within the town, leading to panicked parents rushing to the school to recover their children, though it does not appear either of the casualties was related to the school.
The actually person killed has yet to be confirmed but the IDF, as usual, wasted no time declaring the man a key member of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force who was advancing some non-specific terror attacks against Israel. As is so often the case this claim did not come with evidence.
Southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh Governorate during the ceasefire ©MSF
All this comes amid increasing Israeli threats of further escalation, but also some suggestions that the policy is not set in stone. One unnamed Israeli official was quoted on al-Arabiya as saying Israel is “not seeking war” and would welcome “unconditional” talks with Lebanon.
That stands in stark contrast to the position of the Israeli military, dismissing the idea of diplomacy as an avenue to end tensions with Lebanon. The Israeli Northern Command will present various options to the cabinet on ways to escalate the attacks on Lebanon, potential involving both air assets and ground troops.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is calling to negotiations, though US envoy Tom Barrack informed the country recently that Israel had refused negotiations, reportedly because they would require the end of ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese soil.
That rejection may suggest that the comments about “unconditional” talks with Lebanon were specifically a willingness to engage in talks so long as they can actively attack Lebanon and occupy their territory while doing so. That would put the process, if it happens, in somewhat the same situation as direct talks in Syria, which are ongoing despite Israel invading and occupying substantial territory in southwestern Syria in December.
