Cairo Warns of Risks in Opening New War Front in Lebanon

Gazahas issued a stern warning about the dangers of opening a new war front in Lebanon, referencing the recent events in the occupied Golan Heights.

In a statement on Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern that these developments could potentially ignite a broader regional conflict. Cairo highlighted the risks following the recent events in Majdal Shams, a village in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, cautioning that such actions could lead to a comprehensive regional war.

The Egyptian government stressed the importance of preserving Lebanon’s stability and supporting its people.

Cairo urged the international community to intervene promptly to prevent further deterioration of the situation, which could have catastrophic consequences for the entire region and undermine global peace and security.

Additionally, Egypt reiterated its call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza. The Egyptian government emphasised the urgent need to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to prevent the conflict from destabilising the broader Middle East.

The warning came after Israel announced on Sunday that it had struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon following a rocket attack that allegedly killed 12 children and young adults playing football in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Israel’s air force blamed the Iran-backed militant group for the strike on the Druze town of Majdal Shams, although Hezbollah has strongly denied any involvement.

Early Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had conducted airstrikes against seven Hezbollah targets “deep inside Lebanese territory.” It remains unclear whether there were any casualties. However, a Lebanese security source told AFP that an Israeli drone fired two missiles at Taraiyya village in eastern Lebanon, destroying a hanger and a home without causing casualties.

The rising tensions have the potential to trigger an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. Their forces have regularly exchanged fire since 7 October.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which had previously been sporadic, escalated when the militant group fired rockets at Israeli positions the day after the Hamas attack in solidarity with Palestinians.

Majdal Shams is one of four towns in the Golan Heights, home to about 25,000 members of the Arabic-speaking Druze religious and ethnic group.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, told Reuters that a significant attack by Israel would lead to a “regional war,” underscoring how close the region is to a wider conflict.

Israel’s education minister, Yoav Kisch, said he expects the cabinet to respond “with full force” after the deadly rocket attack in the occupied Golan Heights, “even if it means entering into an all-out war” with Hezbollah.