A Plea to Israel: Avoid Ground Invasion in Lebanon
High-ranking officials from five nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the U.K., have beseeched Israel to refrain from a ground attack in Lebanon. They have also extended a plea to both countries to find a political resolution to the ongoing conflict.
"Any significant Israeli ground attack would have catastrophic humanitarian repercussions and might instigate a prolonged conflict. This needs to be prevented. The already existing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, which includes mass displacement, is profoundly troubling," stated the leaders in a collective statement released recently.
Israel's Military Operation in Lebanon
In retaliation to the missile strikes by Hezbollah, supported by Iran, amidst the ongoing U.S. and Israeli conflict with Tehran, Israel has initiated a substantial military operation in Lebanon. Local sources report that the Israeli attacks have resulted in over 800 fatalities since the beginning of March, including more than 100 children. Additionally, more than a million people have been displaced.
Over the past half-century, Israel has invaded Lebanon multiple times, the most recent being in 2024, as part of their efforts to secure their northern border against missile attacks.
Israeli Defense Forces Begin Ground Operations
Earlier, the Israeli Defense Forces announced the commencement of "limited and targeted ground operations" against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.
The leaders of the five nations reprimanded the attacks by Hezbollah and expressed their support for the Lebanese government's initiatives to disarm the group. Hezbollah, however, had earlier rejected Beirut's disarmament proposition.
The leaders affirmed their solidarity with the Lebanese government and its people, who have been involuntarily embroiled in the conflict.
Iran's Message to FIFA: Exclude the U.S., Not Us
"Iran's national team cannot be excluded from the World Cup," the federation communicated to football head Gianni Infantino.
NATO Intercepts Third Iranian Missile Directed Towards Turkey
It is unclear whether Tehran was directly aiming at Turkey or if the missile was intended to traverse Turkish airspace en route to another target.
Iran Holds EU Accountable for War
"The European Union's indifference and compliance in the face of U.S. and Israeli aggression, brutalities and atrocities equates to nothing less than complicity," conveyed Iranian foreign ministry spokesman.
Polish Foreign Minister: No Direct Threat from Iran to Europe, US Before War
Radosław Sikorski, the Polish foreign minister, has stated that Warsaw has no plans of joining the assault on Iran because "we have plenty to deal with here, next door."
