Israel issues stern warning, vowing to annihilate Hezbollah if necessary
Title: Middle East Tensions Up Close: Israel Threatens Hezbollah, CDU Calls for Sanctions against Israeli Ministers
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Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has threatened the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, saying that if they attack Israel, "there will be no Hezbollah." This comes after Hezbollah chief Naim Kassem declared on Thursday that the group is "not neutral" in the conflict and will "act as it deems fit." Katz warned the Lebanese representative to be careful, as Israel has run out of patience with terrorists threatening it.
German politician Michael Gahler, the foreign policy spokesman and rapporteur of the EPP group in the Security and Defense Committee, is calling for EU sanctions against Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. In a conversation with "Der Spiegel," Gahler stated that these two ministers have long made extreme statements, not only regarding the future of Gaza, but also actively support the radical settler movement in the West Bank and have positioned themselves against a two-state solution. He believes that these ministers do not serve the long-term interests of Israel.
According to Chancellor's chief of staff Thorsten Frei, the possibility of US intervention remains uncertain. While there are signs that seem to be consolidating, Frei emphasized the importance of diplomacy, especially ahead of the upcoming Iran talks led by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Geneva.
Tensions between Israel and Iran heated up this morning with an Iranian rocket attack on Israel. The city of Beersheba in southern Israel was hit, with at least one projectile striking near residential buildings, office buildings, and industrial facilities. At least six people were lightly injured, according to paramedics. Videos circulating online showed burning cars, thick smoke, and broken windows on residential buildings.
In response to these attacks, the Israeli Air Force attacked dozens of targets in Iran overnight. More than 60 combat aircraft targeted military facilities producing rockets, as well as the headquarters of a research institute for Iran’s nuclear weapons project. Several industrial facilities for producing rockets in the Tehran area were hit, and a facility for producing a key component for Iran’s nuclear weapons program was targeted.
As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues, the potential for further escalation remains a concern. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the upcoming meeting with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi today is taking place at a critical juncture. "The situation is incredibly tense, it's hardly possible to predict how the next few days will unfold," the CDU politician told "Der Spiegel." Despite this, he remained hopeful that talks could prevent an escalation.
Despite the military escalation, the British government still considers a diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute with Iran possible. "We discussed how Iran needs to make a deal to avoid an escalation of the conflict," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said after talks with his US counterpart Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. There is still a window of two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution, Britain and the US made clear.
- Middle East Tensions
- Israel
- Iran
- Military Conflict
- Diplomacy
- International Relations
- Amidst the intensifying Middle East Tensions, German politician Michael Gahler has urged for political cooperation, advocating for sanctions against Israeli ministers over their perceived antagonistic stance towards a two-state solution and support for radical settler movements.
- As the military conflict between Israel and Iran continues, there is growing concern for peace and security in the region, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressing optimism for a diplomatic solution to avert further escalation within the next two weeks.
