Xinhua and The Independent

The newspaper La Jornada
Friday, August 16, 2024, p. 26

Beirut. Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem reiterated yesterday that the Shiite guerrilla will retaliate against Israel for the assassination of its military chief Fuad Shukr and criticized the visit of the US envoy Amos Hochstein to Beirut, in which he urged reaching an agreement on Gaza and preventing a regional escalation.

Qasem told Hezbollah’s Al Manar television that Americans want to say they are doing something, but there is a vacuum; added that Hochstein did not provide any comment substantial and made the tour to show off.

Hochstein said in Beirut the day before yesterday that a diplomatic solution between Hezbollah and Israel is urgently needed in the midst of their long-standing conflict.

We do not believe that anyone wants a full-scale war between Lebanon and Israel. A diplomatic solution is urgent, because hostilities have intensified since my last visit to Lebanon.Hochstein noted.

Lebanese media reported that the government has approved the recruitment of 1,500 additional soldiers to be deployed south of the Litani River, near Israel.

Tel Aviv has repeatedly demanded that the Shiite guerrillas retreat north of the river after Hamas launched its violent incursion into Israeli territory on October 7. It also warns that Hezbollah will be forced to retreat by diplomatic or military means, it said. The Times Of Israel.

Meanwhile, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said Iran could launch an offensive against Israel without warning and this could be a matter of days in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

In a virtual press conference, Kirby assured that he has information of that an attack could occur with little or no warning and We have to be prepared for itthe Israeli media reported.

Iran has threatened a response to Haniyeh’s killing and some Iranian officials suggest that only a ceasefire agreement in Gaza would prevent them from taking direct retaliation against Israel, he said. The Independent.