Following Hezbollah attack in north, Israeli envoy warns of ‘havoc and destruction’ in Lebanon
Israel’s Ambassador to the US and the United Nations Gilad Erdan sent an urgent letter to the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General in which he strongly condemned Hezbollah’s rocket attack from Lebanon into Israel, which he said is in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 that was intended to resolve the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan, in his first address to the Security Council, Oct. 26, 2020. Source: Facebook/Gilad Erdan
Hezbollah terrorists fired 19 rockets into Israel on Friday from Lebanon. The Iron Dome defence system intercepted 10 of the rockets. Another six exploded in open spaces in Israel, and three fell short in Lebanon. No injuries or damage were caused by the attack.
The IDF immediately shelled targets in Lebanon in a limited fashion, and stated that “we will not tolerate any aggression against Israeli civilians and remain prepared for any operational situation.”
However, the IDF has yet to respond in a comprehensive manner.
Erdan noted in his letter that the attack “joins a series of terror attacks and rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel in the last three months, an unacceptable situation which could undermine the stability of the region.”
A total of six rocket attacks from Lebanon have occurred in the past few months.
“The recent attacks and growing tensions in the region, exacerbated by Iran’s activities and arming of its proxies, especially Hezbollah, demonstrate once again the urgent need to actively enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” he said, calling on the UNSC to “unequivocally condemn these grave violations, and to remain seized on these matters in its upcoming deliberations on Security Council Resolution 1701.”
Resolution 1701 calls for “full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state.” This has not happened.
Furthermore, Erdan said that “it is imperative that the latest attacks be faithfully reflected in the Secretary-General’s reports on the implementation of Resolution 1701.”
“The actions of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations, as well as the Lebanese government’s failure to prevent them, have the potential to wreak havoc and cause destruction in Lebanon. While Israel is not interested in escalation, we will not allow attacks on Israeli civilians to go unanswered. If these attacks continue, Israel will have no choice but to respond and dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure that threatens Israel’s security and the lives of its citizens,” he warned.
Amos Yadlin, a former general in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and former head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate, said that “at this moment it is time to close the event” and not respond to the attack, “but without illusions. The northern arena is explosive and the risks of escalation are high despite mutual reluctance to go to war.”
“The Iranians are pressuring Hezbollah to warm up the northern border, and also [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar who is afraid to act from Gaza, is pulling strings. Hezbollah has the significant and growing potential over time,” he explained.
He said Israel should prepare for three scenarios: another attack by a small group, like the one that occurred last Wednesday, an attack that could have ended with casualties, or an IAF aircraft operating in Lebanese skies being hit, or a more violent response by Hezbollah and an attack on areas populated by civilians.
