As Israel bombards what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the country’s deputy leader has warned it could turn into another Gaza. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has reverted to tough rhetoric after expressing hope of finding an end to the war. Follow the latest.
Lebanon risks being turned into another Gaza, warns deputy PM
By Yalda Hakim, lead world news presenter
Lebanon’s deputy prime minister tells me Israel is committing war crimes through its ongoing bombardment of the country – warning the scale and intensity risk turning parts of Lebanon into another Gaza.
Tarek Mitri is blunt.
“It’s most worrisome that there are ministers in the Israeli cabinet who have said this,” he says.
“[Bezalel] Smotrich, the finance minister, has said we will turn southern Lebanon into Khan Younis, which is the southern part of Gaza. We have real fears that this is the case.”
He says his government is now documenting what it believes are systematic violations of international humanitarian law by Israeli forces – including the deliberate targeting of emergency workers.
“There is no doubt that Israel is committing war crimes. It’s violating the Geneva Accord.”
Lebanon’s health ministry says at least 42 paramedics have been killed since the conflict began.
The deputy PM tells me Israel is making no distinction between civilians and combatants and has been disproportionate in its response.
“Israel has a track record of ignoring such principles,” he says.
“Look at Gaza.”
What came through most clearly was frustration. A government that insists it represents the majority of Lebanese who did not want this war – now trapped.
Caught between Hezbollah’s actions, tied to Tehran, and Israel’s devastating response, which has left more than a million displaced and killed over a thousand – including at least 121 children.
His message is urgent: end the war between the United States and Iran – and do not let Lebanon become the next Gaza.
Sky News has contacted the Israel Defence Forces for comment.
In the past, Israel’s military has said it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, and frames ‌ground operations in Lebanon as a defensive effort to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.