Lebanon warns Israel over scorched
Photo: Virginia Mayo /AP/TT

Lebanon warns Israel over scorched earth tactics

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a televised speech that the development of the Israeli offensive in Lebanon is "dangerous and unprecedented." Talks between Israel and Lebanon held in the United States have not led to concrete results, while Israeli attacks continue in Lebanon.

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In his speech on Saturday, Salam also warned that Israel's offensive and the escalating conflict, with "scorched earth tactics" - by which Salam indirectly refers to the destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon - will not benefit Israel's future security.

The move comes after a day of continued Israeli attacks, including an attack on a vehicle belonging to the Lebanese army. Two soldiers were seriously injured in the drone attack.

Increased shelling

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon on Friday killed eleven people, including one rescue worker, according to data from Lebanon's Ministry of Health.

The Israeli military also warned on Saturday of the risk of increased shelling in the northern parts of the country in response to the offensive.

Iran-backed Hezbollah says it fired rockets at the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, "in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the Israeli enemy's violation of the ceasefire."

Washington's statements about Friday's talks between military representatives from Israel and Lebanon were brief. According to US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, the talks were "productive."

"We have had productive conversations between the military, conversations that are the basis for the political track led by the State Department next week," he wrote on X.

Need for conversation

Despite the criticism directed at Israel, the Lebanese Prime Minister agreed with the need for talks with Israel, and that it was the 'least costly way forward.'

Hezbollah has opposed direct talks between Israel and Lebanon.

Formally, a ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Lebanon since mid-April, but the fighting has been between Israel and the Shiite militia Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that the country's military had crossed the Litani River, which had previously marked the informal boundary of Israeli presence in southern Lebanon. Large areas south of the river are now under Israeli control.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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