Australia has warned Israel against occupying parts of Lebanon, urging it to respect international law after the displacement of more than a million people.
“Australia supports Lebanon’s sovereignty – so we do not want to see occupation of southern Lebanon by Israel,” according to a statement attributed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Israel has announced its military will take control of south Lebanon up to the Litani River, around 30km from the border, as deadly strikes pounded the country, spelling out for the first time Israel’s intent to seize territory amounting to nearly a 10th of the country.
“All five bridges over the Litani River that Hezbollah used to transport terrorists and weapons have been blown up, and the IDF will control the remaining routes in the security zone up to the Litani,” said Israeli defence minister Israel Katz.
Israel’s statements came as its forces launched an airstrike on Tyre, an ancient coastal city in Lebanon, which is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, leaving swathes of it in ruins.
Hezbollah has strongly objected to Israel’s move, calling on the government to reverse it.
“This poses an existential threat to Lebanon as a state and to its geographically defined borders recognised internationally … we have no choice but to confront this aggression and cling to the land,” said Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah.
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