A security source in Lebanon said at least 40 Israeli air strikes targeted many towns in the south of the country. Two diplomats revealed to Reuters that the two sides exchanged messages emphasizing that neither side wants further escalation. Although happy to avoid further escalation for the time being, both sides warn of the possibility of more attacks.
Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the latest attack was in retaliation for the assassination of senior commander Fuad Shukr last month and was completed "according to plan". However, the group will assess the impact of the attacks and "if the results are not enough, we still reserve the right to respond another time".
The Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasized that it does not want a full-scale war. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned: "We are determined to do everything possible to protect the country. Any side that harms us, we will respond."
The risk of escalation has increased since last month's rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights left 12 people dead. In other developments related to the region, the round of high-level negotiations in Cairo to reach a ceasefire agreement and return hostages in the 10-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza ended on August 25 without reaching a conclusion. final agreement, a US official revealed to AP. But talks will continue at a lower level in the coming days to narrow differences. Accordingly, lower-level working groups will stay in Cairo, Egypt to meet with intermediaries such as the US, Qatar and Egypt.
According to the official, the talks from August 22 to 25 in Cairo were constructive and all sides were working to "reach a final and implementable agreement".
