Speaking to the United Nations representatives and diplomats, Mikati urged for assistance for around one million citizens who have been displaced from southern Lebanon due to Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions. Many of these Hezbollah strongholds are allegedly located near civilian infrastructure.
"Approximately one million of our citizens have been displaced by the tragic war Israel is waging in Lebanon," Mikati said, as quoted by Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).
On Monday night, Israel launched a "limited ground operation" in southern Lebanon aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah’s offensive capabilities. Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel since October 8, 2023, forcing around 60,000 Israelis to flee their homes.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that their overnight strikes in Dahieh, a southern district of Beirut, targeted several Hezbollah military facilities, including weapons production sites.
"Hezbollah is deliberately placing military infrastructure, weapons depots, and manufacturing facilities in densely populated urban areas of Beirut," the IDF stated, adding that its operations were focused on "restoring the security of Israel and its citizens."
Israeli ground invasion
This marks the first time since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah that Israeli ground forces have entered Lebanon. Israel occupied southern Lebanon from 1982 until 2000.
Israel claims to have neutralized much of Hezbollah’s combat capabilities and eliminated nearly all of the group's senior commanders, including its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. On Monday, Hezbollah’s deputy leader reiterated that the group would continue fighting and is prepared for an Israeli ground invasion.
Lebanese government estimates indicate that more than 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict over the past two weeks, with over a million forced to flee their homes.
What is Hezbollah?
Hezbollah, a Shia militant group backed by Iran, controls large swathes of Lebanese territory and wields greater military power than the Lebanese army. The group's armed wing is classified as a terrorist organization by the West. Hezbollah has fought Israel for decades and is a key component of Iran's broader network of armed groups operating across the Middle East, targeting Israel and the U.S.
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Source: PAP, IAR